
Class. 
Book. 



Gop}iiglitN^. 



. i A , 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSm 



OUR MIRACLE BATTERY 

BY 

PRIVATE GEORGE MOZLEY 

BATTERY F, 102nd REGIMENT FIELD ARTILLERY 






COPYRIGHT 1920, BY 

GEORGE MOZLEY 



JUN - / IB^O 



^f'lASTOSSS 




CAPTAIN LEE H. COVER 



FOREWORD 

A Battery, in my opinion, is like a wheel with each man a cog. 
What would our food have heen without cooks? How would we have 
gotten ammunition without our drivers for our horses, or how would 
the guns have been manned without cannoneers, or communication kept 
without Special Detail men ; and last, but not least, where would we 
have been without leaders? 

In the writing of "Our Miracle Battery," I have endeavored to 
show the activities of Batter\ F, loand Field Artillery, from its organ- 
ization, through the battles participated in, and back home again, after 
eighteen months of foreign service. On numerous occasions I have men- 
tioned the names of Batterymen, but in doing so 1 have selected no one 
in particular, so anyone not mentioned in the book, should not be of- 
fended, for each and everyone served his best wherever he was ordered. 

A better body of men could not have been brought together than 
those of our Battery. Whenever the Battery was called to perform any 
task it was ready, whether in fighting or playing. 

In action, the Battery was, on several occasions, complimented on 
its excellent work, by high officials. One thing more important to the 
men than hundreds of such compliments, was the fact that we enjoyed 
the confidence of our Infantry. 

One does not realize how much more the word friendship means 
in war. Supposing you were hit by a piece of shrapnel and fell out in 
a held where shells were exploding all about you. Another fellow saw 
your plight, went out and carried you back to safet)' — that is true 
friendship. Perhaps you were sick and a comrade brought you a piece of 
toast (probably his own ration) or else he tucked in the blankets around 
you, "just like mother used to do" — that is real friendship, not a matter 
of form, but a matter of fact. 



The devotion to duty shown by Batters men was remarkable. One 
fellow named ("Ciunboat") Smith, hearinjz; a barrage called for late at 
night, hurried from his dug-out towards the guns, and ran into some 
old German barbed-wire. He finally got out of it, but had cut his leg 
severelv. He went to the gun and commenced firing, when his cut was 
noticed by his Sergeant, who ordered him to go have it dressed. After 
much persuasion he left. He returned siiortly afterwards, again as- 
sisting in the firing, w lien the Sergeant discovered that he had not had 
his leg dressed, because he felt he should be at the guns. Finally the 
non-com. detailed two men to take him and make sure his leg was prop- 
erl\ taken care of. Such was the eagerness of the Batterymen to do 
their duty, and although it was only one of the many such instances, it 
shows the spirit of the Batterymen. 

Oftentimes upon our return I heard remarks to this effect, "Wasn't 
it a miracle that such a large number of men should go through all 
the engagements Battery F did, and return with total losses of five 
bv death?" — thus, my title, "Our Miracle Battery." 

While writing this book. 1 have, on numerous occasions, asked 
several fellows about certain dates. Although I kept a diary throughout 
the war, several times I have had incorrect dates. Sometimes I could 
prove that my dates were correct, the difficult) arising because of some- 
thing happening at midnight. One person would put down that date, 
and another, the date of the following da\ . Although I expect some 
Batterymen to still disagree on certain dates, I have now every reason 
to believe that those in. this book are correct. 

In closing, I am greatly indebted to Capt. Winfred MacBrajne for 
editing, and to Sergt. George Faneuf for valuable information, as well 
as the various Batter\men who corroborated my statements. 

Respectfully, 
Jan. I, 1920. George Mozley. 



THIS BOOK IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED TO THE 

FIVE BATTERY MEN WHO GAVE THEIR 

LIVES IN THE GREAT STRUGGLE FOR HUMANITY. " 



3n jHemoriam 



CORPORAL GERALD REX THOMAS SILK 
Died. July 18, 1918 From Wounds 

CORPORAL MAHLON WEBB DENNETT 
Died, August 10, 1918 From Wounds 

CORPORAL GEORGE RALPH QUESSY 
Died, November 1, 1918 From Wounds 

PRIVATE WINTHROP ALVIN WRIGHT 
Died, December 31, 1918 From Pneumonia 

PRIVATE JOHN HOWARD BAKER, Jr. 
Died, January 3, 1919 From Pneumonia 



"MUSTERED OUT" 



CONTENTS 



Page 

CHAPTER 1 Organization— Training — Departure 1 

CHAPTER 2 Voyage— France— Training 8 

CHAPTER 3 At the Front (Cheniin Des Dames) 18 

CHAPTER 4 Toul Sector ( Seichprey-Xivray) 24 

CHAPTER 5 Pas-Fini-Aisne-Marne (Chateau-Thierry) 31 

CHAPTER 6 St. Mihiel 43 

CHAPTER 7 Meuse-Argonne (Armistice) 48 

CHAPTER 8 Departure from Front (Saimagne-Saulxures) 58 

CHAPTER 9 Embarkation Area-Brest-Homeward Bound 64 

CHAPTER 10 Home Sweet Home (Conclusion) 68 

Battery Roster 73 

Memorandum ... 78 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 



r'age ^ 
BATTERY -'F" STREET AT BOXFORD, MASS 3 

THE CONVOY IX THE WAR ZOXE 9 '^ 

THE RUINS OF THE CHURCH AT CRECY-LE-MONT 19 ^ 

A GERMAN PLANE BROUGHT DOWN IN BATTLE 21 ^ 

THE RUINS AT CHATEAU-THIERRY 34 

BUILDING DYNAMITED BY RETREATING GERMANS 41 " 

A GERMAN TRENCH MORTAR GUN 45 -^ 

GATES OF VERDUN 49 " 

AN ALLIED BOMBER BROUGHT DOWN BY ENEMY 55 ' 

THE 26th DIVISION REVIEW AT CAMP DEVENS 70 



CHAPTER I 

Oryaiilzatioii — Tra'uii?ig — Departure. 



When America entered the war, men prominent in military' affairs 
throughout the state of Massachusetts, began to perfect plans for a 
regiment of artiller\. One battery was to be formed in each of the 
following cities; Haverhill, Lawrence, Lowell, New Bedford, and two 
in Worcester. It was intended that the batteries were to be motorized 
and have 4.7 guns. Sumner H. Needham of Lowell, having been an 
officer in the artillery, was given the opportunity to organize the Lowell 
battery. Recruiting began immediately. 

A mass meeting was held at City Hall, and before a large audience 
]VLiyor O'Donnell of Lowell, Lieut. Col. Thorndike Howe, and Lieut. 
Needham, spoke about the proposed regiment and battery. Everyone 
who attended will remember Lieut. Col. Howe's clear emphasis, when 
he said, "H you do not desire to see active service in France, do not 
enlist in this organization, for, I believe that as soon as we are ready, 
we will be sent to do our part in the great struggle." At the close of 
the meeting a large number signed up. The\" were then ordered to 
report at the High School Hall on Wednesday evening, April 11, for 
the physical examination. 

Meanwhile, a recruiting station was opened on Merrimack Street. 
Here, more men signed up, among them a large delegation from the 
Lowell Textile School, and a large group from Andover. Apparently 
there would be no difficulty in organizing the proposed battery. 

An order was then sent to all the men who had passed the physical 
examination, to report at the High School Annex on Monday evening, 
April 16, 191 7, for the purpose of mustering the men into the State 



Service, and the organization of the Lowell Batter^-. The men were 
inspected by several oflficers, and then sworn into the service for the 
duration of the war. The election of a Captain and two Lieutenants 
was called for, and Sumner H. Needham became Captain, with Edward 
R. Watts and Winfred C. MacBrayne as First Lieutenants. It was 
stated that the batteries ^\ould be named alphabetically in accordance 
with the speed the full number of men were recruited. The Haverhill 
Battery reached its quota first, thereupon becoming Battery A. The 
Lowell Battery was a close second and became Battery B. Battery 
members then received the following notice. 

Battery B, and Mass. F. A. N. G. 
Order Lowell, April 20, 191 7. 

No. I 

1. You are ordered to report at the State Armory, Westford St., 
Lowell, Monday evening, April 3, 191 7, at 8 P. ]\L, for Federal Inspec- 
tion. 

2. No man will be excused under any circumstances. You must 
be there. 

3. Present this order at door for admittance to Armory. 

S. H. Needham, 

Captain. 

The next order received was to report at the Armory on Wednesday 
evening. May 2, 191 7, for the purpose of electing two second Lieutenants. 
On that evening George Emsley and Lawrence B. Page were elected, 
^t being essential that in case of our going across we should have some 
reliable man to take care of our interests, the Battery was fortunate in 
obtaining the services of Mr. Otto Hockmeyer. He then became the 
Father of the Battery. 

Drills had now begun and were held on Tuesday and Friday eve- 
nings. Guns, harnesses, foot movements, guard duty, etc., were all 
thoroughly explained. The officers were able to secure a 3" gun and, 
also, the loan of horses, thereby making the drill far more interesting. 

Every week the uniforms were expected. Memorial Day came and 
they had not arrived. The men paraded in civilian's clothes, and received 
a good reception all along the line. 

It then became necessary that we have a Battery Fund, from which 
money could be drawn to buy food, etc., in case of emergency. For this 
a Farewell Dance was held at the Armory on June 15, 1917. The 
building was filled to its capacity. After the Battery was formed, Lieut. 

- (2) 



Gov. Coolidtic spoke to us. First Sers^t. Cunir, in behalf of the Battery, 
presented a valuable pair of field-glasses to Captain Needham, and a 
Guidon was presented to the Battery by Paul Alenassian of Lowell. 
Dancing was enjoved, and the affair was a grand success due to the 
efforts of Lieut. W. C. MacBrayne, who had charge of the arrange- 
ments, and to the generosity of the people who helped in various ways. 

After several truck trips to Boston, the uniforms at last arrived, 
and were distributed by Supply Sergt. Soucy, on July 20, igiy. 

On Wednesda\ , July 25, 1917, the Battery was called out to report 
at 8 A. ]\L at the Armory. More equipment was given out and then 
followed inspection. At noon W'e received our first army meal, served 
under the direction of Mess Sergt. Cole. It consisted of fish, hread, 
butter, apple pie, and milk. We were dismissed about 6 P. AL and 




B.^TTEKY "F" STREET AT HOXFORD, MASS. 



then reported at 8 A. 'SI. the following day. After roll-call we marched 
to the South Common for drill. Then we marched around the city. 
After dinner we were issued blankets and were taught how to make rolls, 
etc. The next morning we were ordered to report at 5 o'clock, equipped 
for camp. 

Originally one of the Worcester batteries had been Batterx B. 
Consequently they asked us to exchange our letter name with them. We 
now became Battery F of the 2nd Mass. Field Artiller\. 

Owing to orders received, Lieut. Page was transferred to another 
battery, and we received Lieut. Simpkins in his place. 

(3) 



On Friday, July 27, 191 7, we reported as ordered and made up our 
rolls, etc. After breakfast the command was given to fall in. Rolls 
were called and we marched to the Middlesex St. Depot, where we en- 
trained amid the cheers and pushing of a crowd estimated at about 
5.000 people. After a few hours ride we arrived at Boxford, a little 
town near the better known town of Georgetown, with Haverhill being 
the nearest city. 

As we marched to the fields which were to be our camp ground, 
we thought, by the appearance, that it was wild pasture land. Soon 
after our arrival, however, streets were marked out and tents began to 
go up. The day was very warm and about the middle of the afternoon 
a terrific thunder storm came up. Tents were blown over, and havoc 
was raised in general. One man in Battery A of Haverhill was killed, 
but no one in our Battery received serious injuries. 

Our camp was named Camp Curtis Guild, in honor of the former 
governor of Massachusetts. Our real army life began now and we 
drilled in all sorts of formations. 

Sunday, xAugust 5, was known as Lowell Day, when the parents, 
wives, sweethearts and friends of the boys came to visit. An entertain- 
ment was given by talent from Lowell and everyone enjoyed himself. 

Some of the batteries received a few horses, so occasionally we 
were allowed to clean them, etc. A number of 3" guns, property of the 
First Mass. Field Artillery were used also for drill by the battery. 

During August another regiment came 'in, composed of ALaine, 
New Hampshire, and Connecticut men; thus making three regiments in 
the camp. 

On Saturday afternoons and Sunday a certain percentage received 
passes for home, and occasionally a pass was given during the week from 
6 P. M. of one day to 6 A. M. of the following. A large number of the 
boys took advantage of this, especially the Andoyer boys, who were 
quite near their homes. 

A regular army officer named ALaurice Locke, now arrived to be- 
come our Colonel. By his appearance we expected a very strict man, 
but we agreed that a strict officer would be a real leader in time of 
action. 

At this time there was considerable talk about our diyision. the 26th. 
going to a camp known as Greene, in the South ; so we did iu)t know 
whether to think we were going "across" from Boxford, or to some 
other camp, first. 

Every night a large number of visitors came to camp, and on one 
Sunday the Provost Guard counted over 7,000 automobiles parked in 
the camp. 

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The Rf^imcntal Chaplain, Markham Stackpolc of Andover, held 
boxinsi;, wrestling:, etc., in the evening; and at darkness one could go to 
the outdoor movies for amusement. 

(^n the morning of Thursday, August ib, 1917, we were inspected 
physicalK by Federal Doctors and a few of the bo\ s were discharged 
for various reasons, flat feet, etc. Our equipment was then laid out 
and checked by other officers. After this the Battery marched to the 
railioad and entrained for Lowell where a Lowell Day was being held 
for the soldiers and sailors. Arriving in Lowell, we marched to the 
North Common, where we remained until the start of the parade. All 
along the line of march a hearty greeting was given, while church and 
firebells rang in welcome. The people in the windows threw confetti 
and streamers at the passing troops. At the end of the parade exercises 
were held on the South Common, and then the men marched to the 
Kasino where an excellent buffet lunch was served. The Battery was 
dismissed and we were told to report at the depot at 8.30, where we 
again entrained for Boxford, reaching camp about midnight, tired but 
happy. 

A short while afterward? the Andover boys received a similar re- 
ception in Andover. The Low ell fellows who could get passes attended. 

A few days later we were reviewed by Gov. Samuel McCall of 
Mass., and on the following Saturday by Major-Gen. Clarence Edwards 
of our division. Understanding that such reviews usualh meant a move, 
we began to look for it. The numbers of our regiments were now 
larger, as we had been sworn into the Federal Service. We became 
Batter\ F of the 102nd Regt. F. A.; while the other regiments became 
the loist and the 103rd. We noticed the lOist men were packing boxes, 
etc., with strange marking on the outside. We decided it might mean 
"overseas." About the 7th of Sept. 191 7, the lOist Regt. shipped away 
one night for no one knew where, or if they did no one told. 

Several companies of Coast Artillery, mostly Rhode Island men, 
came to camp, and our Battery was assigned a few of them. 

At this time we realized the value of having a "Father of our 
Battery," for we received from Mr. Hockmeyer, toilet articles and 
other necessities which came in very handy in such a place. 

Our Battery had a mascot in the shape of a Boston Terrier named 
"Teddy," who became very much attached to the boys. 

Orders were issued, soon after the departure of the lOist, that no 
more passes would be given, and on Thursday, Sept. 20, 191 7, we realized 
that it would be our last night in camp. A group of replacements ar- 
rived from Camp Devens, and we were assigned several Our Battery 

^5) 



father, ]\lr. Hockme\er, was presented a lovinj:^ cup in behalf of the 
Battery. The boys gathered about the fires talking and singing. Many 
tears were shed and good-byes said, as the boys kissed their loved ones 
farewell. 

The next day, Sept. 2i, 1917. at i P. M., the order was given to 
drop the tents and every tent of our regiment dropped to the ground. 
The rest of the afternoon was spent in getting ready to leave. Lieut. 
MacBrayne, much to our disappointment, received orders to report to 
the Major as Adjutant, so we received another officer in his place. 
About 10 P. M. we entrained and left soon afterwards. As we passed 
vhrious depots large crowds had gathered and about midnight we arrived 
in Lowell. Although orders were given that all windows and curtauis 
be kept down, it was very difficult for the guards to watch everybody, 
and all sorts of things were thrown in by the large, excited crowd. 

We continued on through Ayer, Springfield, ALass., then into Hart- 
ford, Berlin, Meridian, Wallingford, New Haven, Stratford, Bridgeport, 
Southport, and Greenwich, Conn.; then into New Rochelle, Harlem, 
and finally arriving at the Bronx in New York. 

At different places along the way the bo\ s who were lucky enough 
to have postal-cards, wrote a message on them and threw them out of 
the window, hoping that some kind souls would Hnd and mail them. 

We detrained in the Bronx and boarded the river steamer "Grand 
Republic," which took us down the East River and then up into Hobo- 
ken, New Jersey. The Colgate Clock, Manhattan, Blackwell's Island, 
the Harlem, Queensborough, Williamsburg and Brooklyn bridges all 
proved of great interest to the boys. We got off the steamer at Dock 
No. 2 of the German-Lloyd Line. We boarded the transport 'Tin- 
land," which was alongside the famous "Vaterland." As we under- 
stood that no animals were allowed on a transport, our "Tedd\ " was 
wrapped up in an overcoat and carried on. We were assigned to our 
quarters, several holds down, and to our amazement, if we looked under 
the canvas on the floor we could see the iron in the cargo. Our bunks 
were made of canvas and were three tiers high. 

The next day, Sunday, Sept. 23, 191 7, at noon, the "Finland" left the 
docks, and went down the harbor passing the Statue of Libertj\ All 
men were ordered below deck, until after a short sail, the anchor was 
dropped. The men swarmed all over the transport and gazed at New 
York City in the distance. As pleasure boats went by the passengers 
waved and our boys cheered. We noticed that near us were other 
transports, destroyers, etc., so thought these must be of our convoy. As 
darkness came on it was a wonderful sight to see New York City, as 

(6) 



well as the famous Statue of I>ibert\, lisihted up. Some of the boys 
grew tired and went below and it was noticeable that the last thing they 
looked at was the Statue of Liberty. Would they ever see it again? 
Would they even ever see America again? Time would tell! 

At about 10.30 the anchor was pulled up, the engines began to work, 
and soon the transport "Finland" with Battery F, was on her way, 
ready to run the gauntlet of submarines, to land her load of human 
freight on the other side. 



(7) 



CHAPTER II 

Voyage- — France — Training. 

The next morning, Sept. 24, 191 7, as the boys came on deck, all 
that could be seen were the ships of the convoy. Early in the morning 
one of the transports developed engine trouble and returned, but the 
others, the Henderson, and Antillus, as well as our boat, the Finland, 
12,870 tons, 14 knots and having four 4" guns aboard, continued on. 

The transports were accompanied by the Tanker Maumee, the 
cruiser San Diego, and three destroyers. Guards were posted at dif- 
ferent stations throughout the transport, some fellows even being as- 
signed to the "crow's nest." Orders were issued that nothing was to 
be thrown overboard during the day, because if the men on a submarine 
saw, for instance, orange peelings on the water, they would know that a 
ship was not a great distance away. At night no one was allowed to 
smoke, and all lights were to be kept out, unless absolutely necessary. 
In that case, they were to be covered in such a way that no light could be 
seen by submarines. 

Lifeboat drill was given every day, everyone proceeding to his own 
boat, without running or disorder. We were then assigned positions 
in the boats and told where to row in case of leaving the ship. We 
were each issued life-preservers, which we had to carr\ with us contin- 
uously. 

September 25th found many of the boys at the railing of the ship, 
not caring whether the ship sank or not. Others played cards, read, 
etc. In the afternoon the usual boat-drill was held. When time came 
to "dine," each battery was given a certain time to go. Several times 
during the day a destroyer left for a few minutes to investigate some- 
thing that was sighted in the distance. Everything was to be reported 
that was sighted, even a soap-box, for who could tell but that soap-box 
was a mine? 

(8) 



The food was ver\ poor, usuall\. and consisted of nee, prunes, fish 
or "horse"-meat, with coffee like mud. 

(^n September 26th, a sailor on the San I)ieL:;o was washed over- 
board. Like a shot another sailor was in the w ater after him. A boat 
put out and took the two men aboard the cruiser, and she continued on 
her way. 

September 27th found most of the bojs over their sea-sickness, hav- 
int; found their sea-legs. Our Battery-barber, Daniel Gray, opened up 
his shop on deck, and many of the boys took advantage of it. About 
noon a ship was sighted and like a flash a destroyer went to it, circled 
around twice and returned with the information that it was a boat run- 
ning from Holland to America. 




THE CONVOY IN THE WAR ZONE 

On September 28th, 1917, we were informed that we had entered 
what was known as the war-zone, and so a number of extra guards were 
posted. An observation-balloon went up on the San Diego to watch for 
submaiines, etc. Of course, the usual army rumors were in circulation 
such as: "a school of submarines were waiting for us a few miles 
ahead," and, "at Wall St. betting was ten to one we didn't get there." 
We were told that because of the fact that the captain of our trans-, 
port had taken so many Allied troops safely to France from Canada, 
the Germans had put a large sum of money up for the submarine crew 
that could get him. 

About 10.30 on the morning of September 29th, the destroyers 
chased an object said to have been a submarine, but which proved to be 

(9) 



a tramp steamer. In the afternoon a fire and a life-boat drill was held, 
followed by calisthenics on the promenade-deck, that being the only time, 
with the exception of going to meals, that we were allowed there. 

On Simday, September 30th, services were held in the wells of the 
transport, by Chaplain Stackpole. Most of the fellows attended. 

We had now been abroad one week, which was, in the opinion of 
most of the fellows, one week too long. 

October ist, we were said to be a few hundred miles from the 
coast of Spain. During the afternoon another tramp ship was sighted. 
After dark an entertainment was given in the wells b>- several boys of 
the regiment. Our Battery was represented by John E. Collins of 
Andover in songs, and Royal K. Hayes of Dracut, in readings. The 
Regimental band gave a number of selections which the boys enjoyed 
very much. 

On October and, the life-boats were lowered to the railing, and 
orders were issued that life-belts must be, not only carried, but worn, 
at all times. 

October 3rd, found us in very rough seas. We were told that we 
were now in the Bay of Biscay, with only a few more days sailing. 
Every morning we were told to get up an hour earlier because we were 
then in ver\ dangerous water, and the submarines do most of their work 
either at sunrise or sunset. 

On October 4th, we were met by destroyers from France of the 
U. S. Navv, so those that were with the cruiser turned back, no doubt 
to meet another convoy. 

On Friday, October 5th, at about g.45 A. M. land was sighted, 
and a short time afterwards we passed Belle Isle, the famous submarine 
base. Naval planes came to meet us, circling around the transports, 
and then going to land. We anchored and waited for high tide. During 
the afternoon we set sail again, up the Loire River into St. Nazaire in 
Brittany, getting in about 6 P. M. (ship time). Then we saw the 
French people, soldiers in their blue uniforms, a few Americans with 
them, a number of civilians dressed mostly in black, and a large num- 
ber of children giving us, in their own quaint way, a welcome. We also 
saw German prisoners for the first time. Hundreds were working at 
the docks. They looked at us in amazement, as if to say, "How did you 
get by our submarines?" The large number of Ford machines running 
around surprised us, for we thought we had seen the last in America. 

Tha'c night, when we looked at the captain of the transport, his 
relief at having safely landed his cargo of human lives, was very evident. 
All the way across he was never seen to smile but that night he wore 

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a hiii smile and his eyes shone bi-iii;htl\, seeminij; to say, "Well, that's 
another trip to m\ credit and another bit towards defeating the Huns." 

We sta\ed aboard that nisi,ht, and the next day, October 0th, we 
unloaded our barrack-bags, ofTicer's trunks, etc. In the afternoon we 
went for a march to the camp to which we had been assigned. This 
march was very acceptable to all. Wc had been aboard the boat so 
long that it did us good. That night a certain percentage of the bo\ s 
were given a few hours leave from the boat. 

On October 7th we took our rolls, and marched to our camp, where 
we found other American troops, among them the Marines, some Engin- 
eers and Ambulance men, and a unit from the University of California. 
Details began immediately , and the next da\ a number were detailed to 
help unload the transport Pennsylvania. All along the beach were 
hundreds of boxes containing Ford ambulances which had not been put 
together. 

The next few days were spent in drilling. The rain poured down 
making us all feel miserable. Even our barracks leaked, so a number 
of the boys pitched their pup-tents inside, but this did not prevent our 
sleeping in puddles. 

Another day was spent unloading transport. Fords and parts of 
Baldwin Locomotives were among the things taken off. l^hen details 
began on a reservoir to which we \\ere taken in trucks. This proved 
very hard work, due greatl.\- to the small amount of food we received 
at that time. 

On Sunday, October 14th, a great many of the boys were given 
passes to visit St. Nazaire, while those who didn't went to the Y. M. 
C. A. to write letters, etc. During the day three hundred and fifty 
Ford Ambulances, driven by Americans, left for the front. In the 
afternoon our battery baseball team played the Marines and succeeded 
in defeating them. 

On October 15th we worked again at the reservoir. We went 
home earl\ so that we might carry out the order that all men must 
take a bath. Everyone was checked oft' after he had taken his bath. 
The water was ice-cold, and those who did not catch cold, felt the 
better for it. 

The next da\' we again worked on the reservoir. We wondered 
why we had to do it, and were informed that until a larger number of 
troops arrived, we, who were already there, must be engineers, steve- 
doors, or whatever was needed. After returning from work at night we 
were issued automatic pistols. 

On October 17th we marched to the depot at St. Nazaire and 

(11) 



entrained. After travelling for thirteen hours in box cars, better known 
as "Sidedoor Pullmans," a\ e arrived at Guer, where we got into French 
trucks and were taken to Camp Ccrtquidan, called by Napoleon the 
Camp of Death, because of the number of men he lost there, through 
sickness. It was about sixty miles from St. Nazaire, and about twenty 
miles from Rennes. We rolled in our blankets at midnight. About 
four A. \l. we heard the booming of guns, so we thought we must be 
near the front, but we found it was French guns firing out on the 
camp range. 

When we heard the whistles for us to get up, we thought the army 
had gone to pieces for it was almost half past seven in the morning! 
After breakfast some mail that came over with us was given out and 
then we looked over the camp. At one end was the icist F. A. which 
had left Boxford just a short while before us. We saw hundreds of 
Germans working on stables, etc., and also a number of French Infantry. 
At several places we could purchase bread and jam for a few cents. At 
the conclusion of our inrpection, it was the general opinion that the camp 
had not been remodelled much since Napoleon left. 

Drills began immediately on the famous French "75's," and on 
October 24th the battery fired its first shot on the range. The 103rd 
F. A. had now arrived and had barracks near ours. At night we were 
allowed to go to the edge of the camp where there were stores and cafes. 

We never saw so much mud before in all our lives. Everywhere 
there seemed to be mud. One fellow said, "Who ever called this country 
'Sunny France'? I should call it 'Muddy France'." 

The prisoners thought we were English in disguise, because, they 
said, we "could never get by their submarines." 

A Private in the United States Army gets more pay than a French 
Lieutenant. Prices began to advance rapidly, the people, no doubt, 
getting the idea that we must be millionaires. 

On October 25th we were lined up and inspected by General Persh- 
ing, accompanied by several American and French Generals with their 
staffs. 

On October 28th Mass was celebrated, and at the rudely con- 
structed altar worshipped American, French, and even Germans, watched 
by guards with fixed bayonets. Services were held for those of the other 
creeds in one of the barracks. 

We had now received a large number of French horses, and here 
our troubles began. The horses were put in pairs, and three pairs were 
hitched to each gun or caisson*. Perhaps the driver of the "Ifrad" pair 
was formerly a clerk, the "swing" driver a painter, and the "wheel" a 



* Ammunition Wagon. ( 12 ) 



machinist, so some awful mixups occurred. Sometimes if six horses 
\\<;re punin<i at a gun, and couldn't move it because they didn't pull 
together, two would be taken off and the gun would be pulled out by 
the four. As the horses were French, the drivers tried using 1^'rcnch 
terms, such as, "B-r-r-r-r!" but they received orders to stop it. 

After the horses were mated, etc., the guns were drawn out to 
the range, and while the cannoneers** worked on the guns, the drivers 
learned to ride. The noble steeds were luider the direction of Stable 
Sergt. Lavin, who had had experience with horses at the border. One 
driver said, after having been in a runaway-, that if he came through all 
the horse training without being killed, he wouldn't fear the front, for 
it surely couldn't be much worse. 

Sometimes on Sunday pasres were issued to go to Guer. or to 
Rennes. On one occasion one of the Battery boys went into a store to 
inquire if they had any honey. The clerk could not understand, so our 
friend asked if he had an\ "B-z-z-z-z." The clerk then understood and 
informed him that they had none. 

To take the trip to Rennes we had to leave camp early and go on 
a typical French railway. The train was so crowded sometimes that 
it was all the engineer could do to make some of the higher grades. Af- 
ter several hours' ride the twenty miles were finished, and the boys 
visited the museums, art galleries, cafes, etc., of interest to Americans. 
It was in this city that we had the first opportunity of seeing the Rus- 
sian soldiers. We were impressed by their physical appearance. How- 
ever, as their army had no discipline, of what use were the\ ? They 
seemed to do as they pleased. Several of us were standing at a corner, 
when a Moroccan came up, spoke in f>ench, and oft'ered us cigarettes. 
The greeting was exchanged but no one took any cigarettes. It showed 
that the IVIoroccan meant well, however. 

1 was crossing the street when a truck ^\■ent by 'like a shot, barely 
missing me. I looked up ready to give the driver my best regards, and 
was very much surprised to see that the driver was a French girl, of 
about twenty, who turned and waved "adieu" at me. 

Afrer the usual "feed," the day's activities were over, and we 
returned on the "speedy" railroad to camp, declaring that the ride on 
the train took the pleasure out of the day's fun. 

We were surprised to find that one of the Coetquidan prisoners 
had been a Chef in the Waldorf-Astoria in New York, while another 
had worked in Lawrence, Mass. When asked how they came to be in 
the German Army they declared they had been in Germany when war 
was declared, and so had to go. 

** Gun-crew ( 13) 



On November 2nd we heard that on the return vo\ at^e the Antillus 
had been sunk and the Finland had been hit, but managed to get to 
port. 

On November 5th the Artillery of the Rainbow Division, the 42nd, 
composed of National Guard from the West arrived at camp. We 
moved into other barracks and gave them ours. One of our men met 
one of the Rainbow men, who asked our friend where our division was 
from. Upon being informed that we were the Artillerymen of the New 
England National Guard, the Westerner was surprised, because, he 
said that the press had printed all sorts of news that the Rainbow Di- 
vision was to be the first National Guard in France, and here we were 
several weeks ahead of them. 

About this tune we began to receive considerable mail from America, 
which did much toward making us boys happy. 

On November 7th we noticed an aviation camp being built between 
our camp and Guerre, and we also saw an observation balloon up in 
the camp, practising directing artillery hre. 

The boys were now being taught to build dug-outs, gun-pits, etc., 
on the range. 

The damp, rainy weather greatly affected the Rainbow men, and 
large numbers became ill, while a few died. Later, the camp went under 
quarantine for spinal meningitis, so everyone took particularly good 
care of himself. 

One afternoon, as the body of a Rainbow man, draped with Old 
Glory and carried on a caisson drawn by six black horses, passed by, the 
Germans working on the side of the road were observed to stop work, 
remove their hats and hold them over their hearts until the procession 
passed by. Whether this was done out of respect or to gain sympathy 
is a matter of opinion; nevertheless, it looked very fine. 

At different times a detail was sent from each battery to guard 
German prisoners for the da\ , and it was quite an acceptable job, as 
it gave the men an opportunity to talk with the Germans. An\ one else 
found talking with them was liable of court-martial. 

On November 27th we were issued our steel helmets, and during 
the day, as ^ve were at drill, we were inspected by General Summerall. 

November 29th was Thanksgiving Day, and after "stables" in the 
morning we were dismissed until "stables" in the afternoon. During 
the morning sports were held between the loist and 102nd Regts., and 
at noon a bountiful dinner of turkey, pudding, turn-overs, fruit, nuts, 
etc., was served. After dinner some of the bo\ s went for walks, and 
did various things until "stables." With the e.xception of cleaning, 

(14) 



groominiz, w ateriivj;, and feeding the horses, wc had (luirc a dav to our- 
selves. 

The hours of drill began to increase now and we were up before 
da\break, eating our breakfast in the dark, then hitching our horses and 
starting for the range. At night we watered our horses, usuall\- after 
dark. When it came to competitions our battery lived up to its letter 
"F," and was first, but when it came to watering, etc., we were usually 
last in order in the regiment, and several times in the brigade. 

We now received about six Plattsburg or Training School officers 
to each battery, giving us plenty of officers. When one officer was in- 
structing us, we had visions of a few minutes rest when he had finished, 
but when he had finished, we saw another waiting with something else; 
so we came to the conclusion that the\ must be working in reliefs. 

All these new officers were known to us as "issue officers," and one 
fellow said, "They must be ordering by catalog now." However, these 
same men proved to be the finest types and leaders one could wish for. 

On December 5th the \'. Al. C. A. building, which had been under 
construction by prisoners since our arrival, was opened. The canteen 
was well supplied with cookies, canned goods, etc. 

Early in the morning of December 6th, found us on our wa\ to a 
little town named Beignon, where the guns were put in position and 
fired, while the drivers watered, groomed, and fed their horses. We 
were supposed to be acting as if at the front, and so no talking was to 
be done. Such orders were all right as far as they went, but when one 
of the old French horses stumbled, the driver would forget the order 
and out came a string of' good wishes (?) to his horse. 

About dark we started for camp, and after feeding and watering 
we were dismissed. Usually we went to our barracks, which by the 
way, did not ha\e many windows, and was heated by two little stoves. 
Oftentimes a fellow would say, "Well, I'm going to lie down a few 
minutes and then I'll write a letter." It is needless to say that the letter 
wasn't written, for he was so tired that he went into a sound sleep. 

On December 8th we heard the buglers blow "Pay-Da\ " and at 
noon we received our pay, while the band played "We won't be home 
until morning," etc. 

On December 15th and ibth the French Red Cross held a very 
successful bazaar at the \'. M. C A., and all sorts of articles could be 
purchased, such as candy, pastry, and souvenirs. The biggest attraction 
was the pretty French nurses, as will be noted by the following con- 
versation heard at that time. 

"Say Bill, let's go up to the bazaar." 

(15) 



"No, I was up there last night." 

"Well, let's go again, for we don't see real pretty French girls 
like that every day, and do you know, seeing them last night did my 
e^es good." 

About this time our Christmas boxes began to arrive, and so the 
boys were cheered up considerably. 

We now had longer drill hours, and extra drill in riding, etc. We 
all wondered what the front could be like with training camp like that. 

Then came December 25th, and Christmas. After stables we were 
dismissed until afternoon stables. About one o'clock we had a splendid 
dinner, similar to that of Thanksgiving Day, but after each man received 
his, he went into the barracks to eat from tables set for that purpose. 
Everything was decorated, and after dinner Captain Needham introduced 
the various entertainers of the battery, who were Royal K. Hayes, 
Daniel Gray, Malcolm Dennett, William Soucy, and others. Different 
men were called upon to speak. There was one thought in everyone's 
mind, "Shall we be home next Christmas? " 

About this time mumps, and measles broke out in camp, the Battery 
getting its share. It was very fortunate that shortly before a Navy Unit 
of doctors and nurses had arrived at the camp hospital. Therefore all 
men were taken good care of. 

A doctor came to one of our boys and, with a smile on his face, 
said, "Do \ou know, sonny, that I can tell you are from ]VIassachusetts 
b\ the way you talk?" Our man replied, "Well, it is just as eas\ for 
me to tell that you are from Kentucky." The doctor admitted that he 
was right. 

Of course, no visitors were allowed where the measle and mump 
wards were, but it was a common occurrence for the well members of 
the Battery to sneak in while the nurses were out. With these kind 
nurses there the fellows felt as the words of a well known popular 
song go, "I don't want to get Avell " 

Firing, nights, at the range now commenced, and consequently the 
fellows had very little spare time. 

On January i6th we received our gas masks, one French and the 
other English. After instruction by several officers, we put on one of 
them and went for a short march. 

It had been quite a while since we had had a bath, so on January 
20th we went to one of the camp kitchens where each man bathed in a 
pail of warm water. A lieutenant, then, ver> kindly cooled us off with 
cold water from a hose. The warm water was fine, but the cold, — well, 
as one fellow said, "It's a lucky thing that in the army we are not al- 
lowed to hit an officer." 

(16) 



On January 24th two guns of the 42nd Division were blown up, 
killing two men and injuring several others. 

January 25th we noticed several airplanes flying over camp. 

On the evening of January 31st a band concert was given at the 
Y. M. C A., followed by speeches by Majors Herbert and Goodwin. 
They were about our leaving soon for the front, and what we might 
expect. 

February ist we had another gas mask drill and then went into a 
barrack where there was a little harmless gas. When we were well 
inside we were told to remove our masks and go out. There was a 
terrible rush for the door amid the coughing and sneezing of the crowd. 

On February 2nd the 101 st V. A. left camp, while we made prepara- 
tions to leave. At the gun-park, a box car was measured out and we 
received instructions as to how to put the horses and guns on. 

February jrd we finished our preparations, while just before dark 
we made up our rolls. Were the boys down-hearted? No! One 
crowd from one barrack came over armed with water, bags, etc., to 
make a raid on the other; while pillow-fights, and such performances 
W'ere plentiful. About midnight, those who could, went to sleep in 
overcoats. 

February 4th we had some sandwiches, and then hitched the horses. 
We then pulled down the main street on our way to Guerre, while the 
Rainbow boys yelled, "Good-luck!" 

As soon as he arrived at Guerre, the cannoneers put the guns on 
flatcars, while the drivers loaded the horses in box cars. Eigh; horses 
were put in a car, four on either side, w'hile the driver stayed in the 
center. In some cases, three large horses were in on one side, and they 
took up so much room that two drivers pushed them together, while 
the fourth horse was backed in. Hay and grain were put in each box car 
with rations for the drivers. 

After the cannoneers had loaded the guns, they piled into box cars. 
A short time after noon the w'histle blew, and the Battery was on its 
wav to active fighting. 



(17) 



CHAPTER III 

At The Front — Cheniin Des Datiies 

The next day, February 5th, as we rode along in the train we 
noticed old trenches, barbed-wire. etc.. and just about dark, we arrived 
at Pommiers, where we unloaded. It was then very dark and we moved 
over the roads until we arrived at some old barracks, formerly German 
property, about seven miles from the front line. After taking care of 
our horses, \ve retired for a few hours sleep, with the exception of those 
who were given guard duty. 

The next morning we could hear the guns booming in the distance. 
We put branches, etc., on our guns to camouflage them. We were 
ordered to keep out of sight, for a number of planes were flying around, 
and some of them might be Germans. 

In the woods nearby we saw dug-outs, trenches, and such things, 
and it was there that some of the boys found their first souvenirs. 

On February 8th, while we were at the same place, we noticed 
some American Infantrymen coming up the road; They were the Milk 
Battalion, or Co. M, I. L. K., of the 104th Infantry. As a large number 
of them were formerly of the 6th Regt. of Massachusetts, we found 
many acquaintances. 

On that afternoon we went to a nearby ruined village, where, to 
test our gas masks, we put them on and went into a cave where there 
was gas. 

Early the next morning, February 9th, we left for the front. About 
noon we noticed some planes at which the French anti-aircraft guns 
were firing, so we knew that they were German planes. Suddenly we 
heard a shrill noise and then an explosion. What was it? We moved 
along quickly, and then one of our officers said that the noise we had 
heard, was a shell, no doubt directed at us by the German aviator. But 
it had gone past us, and for this we were very thankful. 

(18) 




TFIK RUINS OF THE CHURCH AT CRECY-LE-MONT 



(19) 



Next we stopped for a rest near a French fort and all the French 
came out to see us. They told us they thought we must be English, as 
we were the first Americans the^- had seen. As soon as our boys passed 
them a cigarette from America, the Americans were "bon." 

Our next move was to Crecy-le-mont, about five kilometers from 
the front, where the Echelon* was established. At darkness our first 
two sections went up to the front and went into position at Coucy-le- 
Chateau. At both places all lights were ordered to be kept from shon-- 
ing, and gas masks, etc., were to be carried at all times. 

From the position and on the roads to it one could see the star- 
shells going up in No-Man's Land, and that night the remaining gun 
sections, the 3rd and 4th, went up and into position. 

The next day, February loth, the first piece registered and the 
first shot was fired by Anthony Drouin. 

Our nearest neighbors were the 8th Battery, 35th Regt. of French. 
On both nights the trips were made without any shells landing near. 

On Monday, February 11, 1918, the whole Battery fired its first 
shot at the enemy in the World War. Ten shells and eleven shrapnel 
were fired. The batteries of the regiment were brigaded with the 
French. 

We now had the opportunity of seeing what the enemy seemed to 
take pleasure in doing — destroying — for we noticed orchards every- 
where, where the trees had been sawed a few feet from the ground and 
toppled over. The churches, gravestones, etc., had been smashed to dust. 

We had quite a bit to do with the censors, who often returned our 
letters because we wanted to tell too much. We also heard of many 
incidents regarding the censors. One fellow wrote home saying, "Dear 
Ma, yesterday we raided the enemy and drove them completely to Hell." 
The censor sent it back to the writer with this explanation, "You are 
not allowed to state the location of the enemy's headquarters." 

We received Field Cards to be sent when we did not have time to 
write letters. On the back of them, the following form was printed. 

NOTHING is to be written on this side except the date and signa- 
ture of the sender. Sentences not required may be erased. IF ANY- 
THING ELSE IS ADDED THE POST CARD WILL BE DE- 
STROYED. 

I am quite well. 

I have been admitted into hospital. 

(sick) and am getting on well. 

(wounded) and hope to be discharged soon. 

■ Place where horses, suppHes, etc., are kept. 

(20j 



I am heiiiLi sent down to tlie base. 

letter dated 

I have received your telegram dated 

parcel dated 

Letter follows at first opportunit}. 
I have received no letter from you. 
(latel\ 

( for a \oniz. time. 
Siijnature) 
only ) 

Date 

(Postai^e must be prepaid on any letter or post card addressed to 
the sender of this card.) 




A GERMAN PLANE BROUCHT DOWN IN BATTLE 

Our horses now got the mantle and after having groomed his horses, 
the driver felt as if he, too, had it. 

Enemy planes came flying around the Echelon, as w'el! as the posi- 
tion, to get information. Guards were stationed at both places to no- 
tify in such cases, and also to notify in case of gas. 

When the enemy was over at night, it was a wonderful sight to see 
the searchlights of the French cross each other in the sky, endeavoring 
to locate the plane that shots might be directed at it. 

On certain nights a large number of planes would go over, and we 
w^ere told that this was one of the routes the enemy took to bomb Paris. 

It was quite easy for us to distinguish whether or not the planes 

(21) 



were those of the enemy, by the throb of the engine. The Allied en- 
gines were much more "even" than those of the enemy. 

On the night of February 15th, at the Echelon, the order was given 
at 7 o'clock for "Lights Out;" and a few minutes later, four bombs ex- 
ploded. Because of the concussion, it was thought that they had landed 
just a few yards from the stables. 

The next morning the fellows went out to look for the bomb-holes. 
After several minutes walk, they found them in a line, which led us to 
believe that the aviator thought there was a battery-position there. Of 
course, those at the position received similar receptions, all helping to 
make us realize that we were in action. 

We noticed that our observation balloons were up, and on l^eDruary 
i8th, we saw a Boche brought down. 

On February 22nd, it being Washington's birthday, we received a 
few turkeys with our rations. Not enough to make it noticeable, how- 
ever. At night, the drivers taking up the ammunition, received a shell- 
ing from the enemy. (Perhaps they, too, were celebrating.) 

On the night of February 27th, about midnight, Sergt. Halloran, at- 
tached to our battery, dreamed that he was in a gas-attack and yelled 
"Gas." Everyone woke up and began to get on their masks, when Hall- 
oran explained that he had spoken in his sleep. Nevertheless, it was a 
good rehearsal. 

About the first of March, the Battery-guns went into position at 
Antiouche Farm, the Echelon moving to Leury. The new position was 
a place the enemy seemed to know a great deal about. All the fields, 
roads, etc., contained a great many shell holes. While at this position 
Chief Mechanic Hartman was ordered to go out in front of the guns, 
and, as an experiment, set off a smoke-bomb. He did as directed, and, 
as the cloud of smoke came forth, the enemy observers saw it. They 
immediately shelled the place, and the Chief was lucky to get back 
safely. 

On March 8th, a German balloon broke loose. Before it got very 
far they shot it down. 

Our Infantry were in a cave near Neuville, and said cave was sup- 
posed to be natural, with space enough to hold the whole 26th Division. 

On March lOth, we heard that Lieut. MacBrayne, formerly of our 
Battery, but now of the balloon service, had stayed in his balloon under 
terrific shell-fire, and was to receive the Croix de Guerre. 

March nth, about 9. 30 P. M., an enemy plane, a Gotha, was 
brought down, the petrol tank having been pierced by a piece of shrapnel. 
The occupants were all alive, but badly shaken up. They were ist Lieut. 

(22) 



Wolfe, the noted Hicr credited with .^.^ victories, 2nd l.ieut. Kaemerer, 
credited with 19, and a Bavarian Sergt.-Alajor named I'ischer. The 
two Lieutenants got out of the plane, hut were soon captured. Fisch- 
er's back was broken, and he was carried to a dressing-station where he 
died shortly afterwards. The trio were returning from a raid on Paris. 

March 13th, we received some Christmas boxes from America, so 
we said, "Better late than never." 

On March 15th, the enemy did considerable bombing around the po- 
sitions, but did not do much damage. 

On the night of March i6th, the enemy shelled all the positions se- 
verelv. Thev received as good as they sent, however. During the firing, 
the fourth piece was blown up, but as a long lanyard was being used, 
no one was injured. 

March 1 8th, "E" and "D" pulled out of position, and the next 
morning their positions received a terrific shelling. At darkness our 
guns were pulled out, and, as we went down the road, shells landed quite 
near us. We met a regiment of French Infantry going in. We thought 
that the enemy knew we were either going out or the French coming in. 
We reached the Echelon at Leury, without any mishap. 

The next da}, March 20th, we packed everything and at darkness 
pulled out. It was a cold, but moonlight night. Above us were the 
searchlights of the French, scanning the skies, so we knew the enemy 
planes were out. We commenced to load at Pommiers at eleven o'clock, 
with Capt. Needham in charge. It was very slow work, but as we 
thought we were on our way for a rest, we did not mind. 

The next morning at four we pulled out, so we were now leaving 
the Chemin Des Dames sector, our first period at the front being finished 
without any losses in men. 



(23) 



CHAPTER IV 

At the Front — Toul Sector — {Seicliprey-Xivray) 

All day long on March 2ist, we stayed on the train and in our trav- 
els passed through the city of Chateau Thierry. At 9.30 that night we 
arrived at Brienne-le-Chateau, where we detrained, and at eleven, started 
on the road. It was another cold, but moonlight night. 

At 4.30 the next morning we arrived at a little town where we took 
care of our horses. We then crawled into haylofts for slctp. At noon 
we had "stables" to do, and then dinner was served. After dinner we 
were ordered to turn all our revolver ammunition in. We wondered if 
we were to have a rest. '^I'he rest of the day was ours, and some of the 
fellows journeyed to a nearby town Avhere considerable amusement was 
furnished when they "borrowed" the town-crier's drum. 

Early the next morning we left, and travelled until dark. We again 
put up for the night at a place called Arganeon. 

The next morning, March 24th, we left again, and during the day 
we heard that the enemy was bombarding Paris with a large gun. How- 
ever, we thought this to be more propaganda. 

At night we put up at Arrentierres. Some of the fellows slept out- 
doors, some ui barns, wood-sheds, etc. 

The next day, March 25th, we left for the next place which proved 
to be Harricourt. It was very tiresome riding either on the horses, or 
the guns and caissons, and so, no matter where we stayed we could sleep 
soundly. 

After the next day s travels, we arrived at Provencheres, and the 
day after, March 27th, we arrived at what was to be our rest camp, Bet- 
tencourt. Here, in most cases, we had good quarters, and it seemed an 
ideal place. 

The next morning we cleaned our harnesses, horses and guns, and 
in the afternoon received more of each. At night some of the sections 
had supper at the different cafes. 1 

(24) 



On March 29th, Capt. Needham informed us that he was leaving 
us to become an instructor. He went to Camp Coetquidan. 

At 4 A. M., March 30th, we received orders to he ready to leave 
immediately for the front. We were again issued our revolver ammuni- 
tion, and about 8 o'clock we left, under command of Lieut. Gully. Rest? 
no — that was only a dream! 

That night we stayed at Arranville. 

The next da\ , Easter Svmday. we again travelled in the pouring rain. 
We passed through Doremi, where Joan of Arc was born. In the after- 
noon a large number of trucks passed us, the passengers being the In- 
fantry of our Division. Later we passed a town in which the famous 
Foreign Legion was quartered. Each member seemed to have several 
medals, and we were informed that the Legion was made up of men of 
all types from all over the world. A rather dark complexioned member 
of the Legion passed by as we halted for a rest, so one of our boys 
thought that he would have a little fun with him, and said, "Hello, old- 
timer, how are you feeling?" To his surprise the person addressed turned 
and replied, "Very well, thank you. How are you?" 

He then came over to us and in conversation we found that he was 
an Australian. He was so dark that we had all taken him to be an 
Italian. 

At night we arrived at an old fort named De Pagny. It had an 
emptv canal around it, and we entered over a draw-bridge. No one was 
around it but the caretaker, so we spent the night there. 

The next morning we moved back to the last town we had passed, 
Champougny. There we took the quarters of the Eoreign Legion, which 
was just leaving. They remained long enough to tell us a few stories, and 
when we had heard the tales of some of the Morrocan members of the 
Legion who spoke French, we agreed that we did not blame the Ger- 
mans for running. 

Lieut. Gully left with several of the Special Detail* members for 
the new position. 

The people of this town used us coldly, and several times shut their 
doors in our faces. For this reason we thought them to be Pro-German. 
It was the silent wish of the Battery-men that the enemy shell or bomb 
that town a little, and then perhaps the people would be a little more de- 
cent to us. 

The Meuse, which flows through the town, was overflowing, and 
roads became irnpassable. Some of the boys went to the next town one 



^Section of signal men, telephone operators, etc. 

f25) 



night, and when they returned later on, they had to wade across the 
bridge. 

On April 3rd, we left the town and went over the hills. As we were 
lost from our Supply-Company we got food for the horses and ourselves, 
wherever we could. 

During the afternoon we halted on a highway and two of our guns 
were placed on trucks, and with the gun-crews, left for the new posi- 
tion. The rest of the Battery went on and stayed that night in Grand- 
menil. 

About 2 A. M., April 4th, the guns on the trucks went into a posi- 
tion known as "409," about a hundred yards from Dead Man's Curve, 
between Mandre and Beaumont. 

That same day the rest of the Battery arrived at Sanzey, the new 
Echelon. At night the other two guns went into position "442," in some 
woods near the town of Hammondville. 

Our Battery relieved part of the 6th Regulars, and we were now 
in the Toul Sector. 

Here we saw, for the first time, troops of the Italian Army. In 
Sanzey and other nearby towns were located the Salvation Army and 
Y. M. C. A. huts. In Ansonville was a Red Cross hut. 

The shelling commenced immediately, and the dug-outs had so much 
water in them that it had to be pumped out. The stables were regu- 
lar mud-holes. 

The drivers now began to realize the good work the Salvation Army 
was doing, for after being up to the positions with ammunition, and re- 
turning just before daybreak, cold, wet and tired, they could get cocoa 
and cookies at the Salvation Army hut, free of charge. 

The positions received some hot shelling, and the drivers found that 
the enemy had good registration on the roads, due to the fact that they 
could observe well from Mount Sec. 

On April lOth to the 13th, the Battery had to do considerable firing, 
and they covered the attack at Appremont. 

On April 19th, shells landed in the various towns and on all the 
roads, considerable gas was released. One of our boys said, "What, are 
they helping us to celebrate Patriots' Day?" 

A short time before Charles Bowman was wounded. 

All night the shelling continued and at 3.30 on the morning of the 
20th, the enemy came over the top to get Seichprey. Gas was every- 
where. The guns boomed on both sides, and the Battery fired for ten 
solid hours. All the high explosives had to be used. Each piece fired 950 
rounds, when the orders came to pile up all shrapnel, there being 50 left 
per gun. 

(26) 



At "409" the guns had to be pushed out so as to cover the proper 
places. Consequently there was no protection. All the wires were cut 
and the Special Detail men were tryino; to repair them. The last report 
over the wires was "Germans enter Seichprey — still coming." The boys 
removed their shoes and put on rubber boots. They also got more re- 
volver ammunition. 

Lieut. Thompson, now commanding, ordered shrapnel to be cut for 
50 metres, and to level gun at the ridge ahead. Who knew but that the 
enemy would be coming over the ridge in a minute? One shrapnel per 
gun was ordered to be cut at "O-O" to destroy the gun. 

One of the boys had just received a box of "7-20-4" cigars from 
home, and, as he naturally expected that the enemy would soon arrive 
and he did not want them to get the cigars, he passed them around to all 
the boys, that their last smoke might be a "real one." Where were the 
Germans now? No one knew because of the communications being sev- 
ered. Soon the cannoneers heard the familiar yells of the Battery driv- 
ers, and in the\ came with more ammunition. Each gun then fired 
300 rounds more. 

At "442" Lieut. Johnson, who was commanding, was wounded in 
the leg. By supporting himself with a cane, he continued to help by pass- 
ing shells to the guns. 

The third piece went out because of bad recoil, and during a lull in 
the battle, another arrived. 

When communication was finally established all batteries of the reg- 
iment received orders to fire at one particular spot. We later heard 
that the reason for it was that two mobile enemy batteries had been 
drawn up and were doing a great deal of damage. They were annihilated 
by our regimental fire. 

Lieut. Borden of the battery was the observer. 

The firing let up considerably, and to the amusement of the boys, 
the before-mentioned man, who had passed out all his cigars, was now 
sorry he had done so, for he was neither captured nor killed, after all. 

Philip White was bringing up ammunition when his horse was shot 
from under him. 

Ambulances were running everywhere, gathering in the wounded 
and gassed, as best they could. 

The Red Cross Hut in Ansonville was turned into a dressing-sta- 
tion, and, as during the battle eight men were wounded in thirty minutes 
in one street in Ansonville, the little room was soon filled. 

Early in the morning of April 21st, our Infantry, under a "rolling 
barrage," gained all lost ground. The enemy, who were the Bavarian 
Guards, had a loss of 60 per cent. 

(27) 



The French nicknamed Seichprey, "Little Verdun," and they were 
greatly surprised at the fighting qualities displayed by the Americans. 

A number of the boys received citations. Lieuts. Thompson and 
Johnson, and Sergts. Delmore and Gustafson received the Croix-de- 
Guerre. 

Starting a few days after the Battle of Seichprey, for nearly a month 
our guns were fired very little. For about two weeks, hardly a shot 
was fired. The Americans had instruments with which they were try- 
ing to locate the enemy batteries. Had we fired without their knowledge 
it might have misled them. Orders then came that guns would only be 
fired at the Colonel's command. 

On April 4th Co. M of the loist Inf. came into Ansonville, so the 
boys saw many of their friends. 

Around the first of May there seemed to be a great many air battles, 
etc. It was surprising to notice the number of "duds"* which came 
over in this sector. 

We heard that because of this fact an officer had taken one of them 
apart, and he had found it filled with sawdust, instead of powder, and a 
note saj'ing, "I am doing my bit. Do yours! — A British Tommy." 

On May 13th we saw eight Boche and four Allied aviators in a bat- 
tle. After two Boche had been downed the rest got away very quickly. 

In the town of Hammonville, Walter Scannell and Thomas Egan 
cooked for the boys at "442" and their kitchen became the Mecca of 
the 26th Division for men of all rank, from the General and Colonel 
down, and of all branches of the service, would stop to get warm and to 
get a drink, or a bite to eat. Both were as noted for their generosity as 
for their cooking. 

On May 20th all the towns received a severe shelling, but not much 
damage was done. 

On May 26th, at Sanzey, Elsie Janis, the noted actress, gave an en- 
tertainment under the auspices of the Y. M. C. A. 

On May 27th a number of little balloons came over, carrying propa- 
ganda from the enemy. When the drivers took up ammunition at night, 
they received a terrific shelling. 

Later on, the Germans came over on a raid, and the Battery fired 
considerably. The raid was of no value to them, as they were soon driven 
back. 

The next day a number of American aviators such as Rickenbacker 
and Campbell, flew over the different towns, and did stunts for the 
amusement of the soldiers. 



* Unexploding shels. (28) 



On May 30th, those nut at the liuns, went to the cemetery at Mcnil- 
la-Tour, where an impressive memorial service was held. Some French 
women brought flowers and placed them on the graves of the Americans. 
The lOist Infantry went "over" on a raid, and Bellageron of our Bat- 
tery, who, with Lieut. Willard was attached to them for the raid, fired 
the red rocket which called for the barrage. The object of the raid 
was to get prisoners, so as to get information. One prisoner was taken, a 
young fellow, and as the barrage was known as the "Million Dollar Bar- 
rage," the prisoner was named the "Million Dollar Kid." 

On June 1st, three enemy and two Allied planes were in battle, but 
the enem\ withdrew without loss. 

On the night of June 8th, the positions, towns and roads received se- 
vere shellings. 

On June 10th, at the Salvation Arm\' Hut in Sanzey, Capt. Choate 
of the Supply Co., had a number of colored engineers giving a per- 
formance and he called them Choate's Minstrels. 

About this time a "sniper"* was sent out to Jury Woods, with a 
crew picked from the various sections, under Lieut. Thompson. It con- 
sisted of Mechanic Desaulnier, Corp. Brown, Pvts. Cronshaw, Cole and 
Lindsey. W. Thompson and Thayer; Corp. Brown nad Pvt. Thayer rep- 
resenting the Special Detail. 

On June I2th there was a great deal of activity on both sides, and 
on the 15th considerable gas was directed toward us, causing a big artil- 
lery duel. 

Part of a battery of the 147th, Field Artiller\ was attached to us 
for a fev\- days, and Captain Donat !Minot became our commanding offi- 
oflicer. 

Early on the morning of June 16th, the enemy started a terrific bom- 
bardment of the positions. The guns had to be put in the open to fire 
where they vrere ordered, so there was no protection. Both sides fired 
steadily, and at daybreak a Boche aviator came over "409" and peppered 
all around with his machine gun. The enemy sent considerable gas, 
so that the masks were off and on for over six hours. 

Meanwhile, ihe drivers were rushing up ammunition, and evidently 
the enemy anticipated it, because they continuously shelled the roads. 

We received word that five hundred of the enemy had come over to 
capture Xivray, but had been driven back with severe losses. 

Later the shelling died down, but the drivers still brought ammuni- 
tion, and the Special Detail men were trying to repair all the damaged 
lines. All that night the enemy kept firing at the towns, and the drivers 



A Sacrifice gun. (29) 



still hauled ammunition, and when the order was given that enough had 
been hauled, they had been in the saddle thirty-six hours. 

The next day we received a slight bombardment, no doubt a "card 
of thanks" from the enemy. 

In the gun-pits a grenade was hung up, and in case the enemy ever 
came through, and we thought the guns were to be taken, it was to be 
dropped down, the muzzle and barrel would be welded to the breach, 
making the gun useless. 

On June 23rd our Infantry went over on another raid and took six- 
teen prisoners, the Battery firing in the barrage. 

On June 24th, we were relieved by the French and went that night 
to the Lemay Sector, to take part in what the French called a Coup 
Ce Main, meaning, possession of Force. 

The "sniper" now returned to the Battery. 

The next night we fired in a box barrage, while the French went 
"over." After we finished we moved out and headed for Sanzey. 

In the morning we went through a little town where we saw some 
of the prisoners which had been captured in the raid. 

We arrived in Sanzey about 9 A. M. All the harnesses, guns, etc., 
were cleaned that day, and the next day we rested. We heard that we 
were to move at nine that night, but we didn't. The enemy must have 
heard the same thing for a number of planes were flying over Sanzey 
at just that time. 

Capt. Minot now became Major, and the Battery was again under 
Lieut. Thompson. 

The next night, June 28th, about 9.30, we left Sanzey, and we went 
on to the main highway. We were leaving the Toul sector, which, we 
were told, had been given to us by General Foch. It was eighteen kilo- 
metres long. Our division had relieved one United States and one and 
a half French divisions, when we went there. 

All night long we moved and early the next morning arrived at 
Ouche, where, after taking care of the horses, we went to barns to sleep. 

When we awakened a number went to the nearby aviation field 
where the 90th Aero Squadron was situated. Carl Matthews succeeded 
in obtaining a ride in a plane, and enjoyed it immensely. 

The next day, June 30th, we left Ouche and marched to Vaucou- 
leurs, where Lieut. Thompson told us to try to load as quickly as pos- 
sible. We loaded in forty-five minutes, seven less than any other bat- 
tery. 

French trains always leave on time, and suddenly ours pulled out, 
leaving a number on the platform 

(30) 



CHAPTER V 

Pas-F'iui-Aisiu-Manif — {Cluitiaii-Tliicrry) 

All niuht lonti we were on the trains. Wc closely followed the de- 
pots on our maps and Hnally decided that if we went to the left we were 
-oinii to Paris for a rest, but if we went to the riiiht, we were going tow- 
ard Chateau-Thierry, or to Hell! We went to the left. Hurrah! We 
could see Eiffel Tower in the distance and when we got to Noisy-le-Sec, 
we were only six kilometres from Paris. We must have received new or- 
ders, for we now headed nearly in the opposite direction, and bitter was 
our disappointment. One fellow said, "Well, they let us look at Paris 
from a distance, anyhow." 

At 5 P. M. we unloaded at Dammarten in twenty minutes, break- 
ing another record. We heard that "C" battery was bombed while un- 
loading, a few hours before. We moved down the road until we came 
to a phice sheltered by trees, where we had supper. While there the first 
battery of the lOist E. A. arrived and with them came the boys of our 
battery who had been left at Vaucouleurs. We then ^^tarted over the 
roads. It was a cold but moonlight night. 

During the night we passed through Lagny, and just before day- 
break, we arrived at a clean littK a named Chalifert, hiking about 23 
miles. Some were so tired that when they saw the Battery was to stay 
there, they dropped by the roadside and went to sleep. After everything 
had been carefully camouflaged, we pitched our pup-tents or went into 

barns. 

The next day was ours, and many visited Lagny, or little nearby 

towns such as Esbley, etc. 

The next day was July 4th, and it was declared that it b:- made as 
much a holiday as possible. The townspeople displayed flags and deco- 
rated their windows with roses, etc. During the morning our Battery 
defeated Battery "C" at baseball, for nothing was complete without a ht- 

(31) 



tie Lawrence-Lowell rivalry. In the afternoon a large percentage cele- 
brated by having a "real" sleep, for it was too warm for indulgence in 
sports. 

At night we moved again, and after another long grind, at daybreak, 
we arrived at St. Cyr. At night the Battery moved into a position near 
Cocherel. 

On the night of the 6th, two guns went forward, as the enemv was 
expected to attempt to come through. The orders were, "Fire when the 
enemy is seen coming through the wheat-fields." 

The next day the enemy shot down two of our balloons, but our ob- 
servers came down safely in parachutes. 

On the night of the 7th, we once more moved, and at daybreak we 
arrived at some woods near Viller-sur Marne, where the Echelon was 
established while the guns went on and into position at Domptin, where 
we relieved the 15th Regulars of the 2nd Division. We met a large num- 
ber of the 6th Marines, who told us what to expect, but everyone seemed 
to say, "The 26th will come through." 

A rocket post was installed in the edge of some woods, where some 
members of the Special Detail watched and reported. It was very no- 
ticeable to them that every few minutes the enemy dropped shells on the 
main highway, which was the famous Paris-Metz road, showing that 
they had accurate range on it. The Battery did considerable firing, at 
what was thought to be an observation post. 

In Domptin the boys found a number of hives, and by experimen- 
tation, found that gas-masks could be used for bees as well as gas, for 
they put them on, and with gloves managed to get considerable honev. 

One fellow saw a cow grazing in a meadow, and, as there were no 
civilians around, it was anybody's property. This fellow decided it would 
be a good addition to the Battery and set out to get it. After quite a 
walk he finally arrived near the cow, so advanced more carefully. It did 
not move. There was a reason. It was being supported by a wire fence, 
and had been killed by a piece of shrapnel in its side. 

We now found that we had other enemies to fight — cooties! One 
fellow said those he had were good friends for they always stuck right 
with him. There wasn't any clean underwear, and some fellows, while 
searching through the remains of a French house, came upon some. They 
immediately changed into it, and it wasn't men's either! 

On the night of the 12th our guns went up ahead and succeeded in 
blowing up an observation post. They returned the next night to the 
old position. 

(32) 



It was now the custom for each section to send out a "sniper" for 
a few davs, and about this time a piece returned from a terrible trip and 
another, the second, went out with the following:; crew: L. 1\ Johnson, 
Sergt. Daley, Corp. E. Larlcin, Pvts. Chappcll, Cole, Cronshaw and W. 
Thompson, with Sgt. Hosley and Pvt. Sjostrom of the Special Detail. 
The crew received a severe gassing, temporarily blinding some and caus- 
ing all considerable discomfort. 

On the 17th we left Domptin and moved forward near Paris 
Farm. It was a cold, rainy night, and the drivers could see the road 
only by the Hash of the lightning. 

The Great Allied Drive was now on! The Echelon remained in the 
original place. 

The next day, the 18th, the drivers brought up ammunition, and in 
the distance the enem\ balloons were noticed. Of course they must be 
seeing the movements. As they got nearer the position shells sometimes 
greeted them. 

During the afternoon the position was shelled severely, and the men 
there started to "dig in." Late in the afternoon Gerald Silk and Forrest 
Butler, having completed a place to get shelter from splinters, had 
crawled in, when a shell landed there. Both were wounded, and were 
rushed to the hospital, where the former died. This was the first casu- 
alty of the Battery, and the death of Gerald Silk caused a sudden quiet- 
ness to come over us all. He was respected by everyone and was very 
popular. Butler's foot was severely torn, but he pulled through his suf- 
fering. Later, some guns were located by instruments, and when the 
command to fire at them was given, 24 rounds were fired in 45 seconds, 
the fastest record of the Battery, but it was to avenge "Gerry" Silk. 

The next day the guns moved to a former "155" position and stayed 
that night. 

Early the next morning, the 20th, the guns fired in a heavy barrage 
for an attack. The Infantry were advancing so quickly that aeroplanes, 
at times, were the only means of communication. 

After the attack the boys slept a little. In the early evening we 
started to pull out. The roads were very muddy and the horses could 
not move the guns. Finally, the men had to pull them out, a few inches 
at a time. When the good roads were reached, it was the morning of the 
21st. When the move was started a gun of the enemy was found, totally 
destroyed, and it was believed that said gun was the one fired on to 
avenge "Gerry" Silk. 

Our Battery was now commanded by Lieut. Lee Cover. At noon of 
the 2 1 St, we pulled up to Belleau Woods, and Boureches, where we dug 

(33; 



in and set the liuns, near the old trenches. There was no Hriny; and at 
two o'clock we acain left, passintj throuirh Boureches, under the railroad 
tracks which had been bombarded by us a short while before. We kept 
on until traffic held us up. Then we turned back and took another road, 
heading: for the city of Chateau-Thierry. We reached it at night. The 
bodies of Americans, French and Germans were floating down the 
Marne River, from which the horses drank. 

We moved on, and early in the morning of the 22nd we went into 
position near White Cross Farm, which was used as a dressing-station. 
Our position was on the right side of the road, and after dinner we 
received orders to change to the left. Two guns had been changed when 
members of the 104th Infantry came up and lined up in front of our guns, 




RUIN'S AT CHATEAU-THIERRY 

ready to go to the trenches. The signal was given to go and when they 
started ofit single file, a French battery, thinking they were the enemy 
opened fire on them, killing and wounding several. 

Finally the guns were transferred and began to rire. Frank ]\Ic- 
Pherfon of the Battery, a.tached to the Infantry, received a number of 
wounds and was alco gassed. He was sent to the hospital. 

The enemy shelled the positions and also the dressing-station at 
White Cross Farm. 

Meanwhile, the Echelon was moving up, going first near Paris Farm, 
then to Belleau Woods. A halt was given until someone found out where 
the guns were, and then another move was made. 



(J4: 



Food was being sent for the Battery, but, because of so much mov- 
ing, it was hard to locate it. Egan of the Battery saw a cow, which he 
thought would be of considerable use to the Battery, so he tried to take 
it along. The cow refused to go. Then Egan tied it to a caisson, but 
the cow dug her feet into the ground and stood still. Egan was dis- 
couraged so he cut the rope and ?aid, "Now go, I don't want you any- 
how." 

The pets of the Battery now consisted of two rabbits, one crow, a 
cat, and a dog, named Teddy. 

Sergt. Edward Robe\ , received orders to return to America, as an 
instructor in artillery. 3iIost everybody gave him a message, or some- 
thing to give his folks if he ever saw them. Had Robey attempted to do 
so, he would have had little time for artillery instruction. 

On the 23rd, the Battery received a terrible shelling, in which Mal- 
hon Dennett, Alix. Sjostrom, Payne and Desaulnier received wounds. 
The Battery stayed that night, firing considerably, and losing one gun. 

The next morning, the 24th, we again moved forward, passing the 
"210" of the enemy in a ditch, which we heard was to be sent to Boston. 
Near Epieds we saw General Edwards, who spoke many a cheery word 
to us as we passed by. Everywhere lay dead of both sides, creating an 
almost unbearable stench. Past Epieds we halted to have dinner in a 
field full of our own shell-holes. 

We again moved. One of the horses seemed to be quite lazy, and the 
driver, against army regulations, hit his horse over the head with a whip. 
Gen. Edwards saw this and stepping from his machine said to the driver, 
"Here, my young man. you know you shouldn't do that. Do \ ou know 
that I would rather have you hit this long old no:e of mine, than hit 
that horse over the head?" Then he got into his machine and went on. 

The moving now became very slow, because everything, such as ar- 
tillery, engineers, balloons, etc., were advancing. The whole regiment 
passed in full view of the enemy observers, to the edge of some woods 
where we met the machine-gunners of the 28th Division. We waited 
until dark and pulled through a shell-torn road into the Paris-Soisson 
Highway, near which the guns went into position. The guns were to 
fire across the road, but there was no firing that night. All around the 
guns shells were landing, and so the cannoneers drew back for pro- 
tection. After the shelling stopped considerably they returned and "dug- 
in. " 

The battery near us lost several men, before they could seek pro- 
tection. 

(?,5) 



The morning of the 25th we again fired. Our Infantry was relieved 
by the 42nd division. We were not relieved and were ordered to back 
the 4th, 28th, and 42nd Divisions. 

Above the positions an air battle was taking place, and the machine 
gunners and everybody that had found a rifle, fired at the enemy. Fin- 
alh , an Ameircan and an enemy plane were downed, and the other planes 
disappeared. The men at the Echelon continued to move up, and 
brought up ammunitions to the positions. 

One night, after a tiresome journey, the drivers had gone to sleep in 
some woods. About midnight the lieutenant received orders for more 
ammunition. He went around the woods feeling for the sleeping boys. 
When he found one he said, "Come on, get, more ammunition." Of 
course, he tried to get them all up by yelling, but after being used to 
sleeping while guns were firing, a man's voice had little effect. However, 
the men soon began to respond and the lieutenant began a final look 
around. He stumbled over a body and said, "Come on! Get up! The 
rest are hitching up now!" He received no response. Covering his flash- 
light with a blanket that no enemy aviator might see it, he flashed it in 
the fellow's face. Was he asleep? Yes, but forever. He wasn't one of 
our men, and here and there throughout the woods were many more 
just like him; but the drivers were so tired that they had just dropped 
where they happened to be and had gone to sleep among the dead. 

A wounded German prisoner was lying on a cot waiting to be car- 
ried away. He called some Americans over to him. He evidently had 
something which he greatly cherished that he wanted to show to them. 
What was it? An actual picture of French girls being used as slaves 
by Germans. Yes, and worse than slaves! How proud he was of that 
picture. Someone took it and tore it up. It was lucky for that German 
that he was wounded ! 

One of our boys found a letter from a German officer in the rear 
to one at the front, telling him of the success of the recent Liberty Loan 
of America, stating the amounts given by certain large firms in New 
York and Hoboken. 

Our guns stayed at the same place the 26th and the 27th. The Bat- 
tery received replacements from the Western States. The night of the 
27th the guns moved again, and at daybreak on the 28th, pulled into a 
position in full view of the enemy. The position was shelled and a gun 
and caisson destroyed, while the other batteries near us lost, not only 
guns and caissons, but men. 

Early on the morning of the 30th, a "sniper," under command of 
Lieut. Johnson, with a crew of Sergt. Parker, Corp. Faneuf, Doyle, Hop- 

(36) 



kins. LallihcTtc, Maxoii and McDanicls, with Scr^t. Landry acting as 
"runner,"* went out. Some of the privates of the crew had hcen serv- 
ing on the "90's," but had not a great deal of experience on the "75's" 
at the time. They went into position at 8.30. After leaving the gun the 
drivers drew back a short distance. They were H. Hoisvert, C. Nichols, 
D. Gordon, Langdon, \'igeant and Hyneck. ?lIore ammunition was be- 
ing brought up b\ other divisions. 

The guns were set on the church at Sergy. The first shot landed 
short. The second went over. The third went through the front door 
of the church. The fourth hit the town. Then a few more were di- 
rected on the tower. Out of a lower steeple window came a white Hag. 
A short consultation was held, and the next shot landed where the flag 
had been. When the smoke cleared away, the flag was gone as well as 
half the window. A few more shots were fired and then a Red Cross 
flag came out above where the white flag had been. Another consulta- 
tion and the gun was fired until the place was demolished. It had no 
doubt been used as an observation post. 

Corporal Faneuf was ordered to fire about fifty rounds about Sergy, 
at different suspicious looking places. 

Lieut. Johnson saw a clump of trees and ordered a shot at that. 
Nothing happened. He tried again. It fell short and when it exploded 
it sent dirt and rocks a hundred feet in the air. As Lieut. Johnson and 
Sergt. Parker looked through their glasses they saw a number of Boche 
running, and one fell, rolling over several times. A hail of shells now 
began to come and everyone jumped into trenches. They stayed a short 
while, and then signaled for the drivers, who rode up, got the guns and 
everybody escaped. 

A half hour after the report had been delivered by Sergt. Landry, 
Sergy was reported to be captured. It happened that during all the time 
this "sniper" was firing the enemy was shelling a "sniper" of the lOist 
Artillery, which they thought icsponsible. (Of course, no notice was sent 
to the enemy that they were shelling the wrong gun.) 
at night the Battery, by orders, drew back a short distance, it taking till 
morning to do so. 

On the 31st, the enemy shelled the positions terrificalh, and finally 
On August I St, the enemy shelled the Echelon considerably, killing 
fifteen of our horses, while the enemy aviators swept the woods with 
machine guns. 

The Batterv had a very efficient machine gun crew, consisting of 
Corp. Fahey and Privates Crotty, Roach and Saunders, and no doubt 
the hot fire sent by this crew caused the enemy to withdraw sometimes. 
* One whose duty is to deliver orders between commandinR officer and guns. 

(37) 



It was the intention of the crew to cut a notch in their machine 
guns for every plane they brought down. It is regretted that the ex- 
act number of notches cut has, at this time, been misplaced and cannot 
be stated. 

On the night of August I2th the Battery began to advance again, 
and crossing the Ourcq river passed to the other side of Sergy. Here 
the night was spent on the side of a hill. No firing was done and the 
next morning the guns moved on to the main road, heading towards 
Cherry. 

The Echelon received orders to move forward shortly afterwards. 

One faithful old horse, who, it was expected would die at any time, 
was being led along by a driver. As it came near an old mattress along 
the roadside it became suddenly very weak, toppled over on it, and died a 
short while afterwards. 

Meanwhile, those who were with the guns were coming into sight of 
Cherry. At the entrance to this village the enemy had blown up the road, 
making it impassable. It takes more than blown up roads to stop Yanks, 
so the column turned off to the left over a meadow, across a stream, 
through a pasture, and finally into the town. It was now quite dark, 
and the guns went into position. One gun sank into the mud and the 
crew tried vainly to move it. Finally someone came along and taking 
hold said, "Let's try again, boys." Everyone tried and out it came. Who 
had assisted the crew? Major John Herbert! 

Two guards thought they saw a flash coming from a building in the 
village and calling an officer's attention to it, they went to investigate. 
They entered the house in question and found a number of our Battery 
men, with others, trying to get some sleep. The lieutenant inquired 
about the lights, but no one had seen any. He said he was sure they had 
come from that house, and so, with the assistance of all, set out to inves- 
tigate. Upstairs their search was rewarded, for there was a German in 
full uniform signaling to his Artillery by lights, and trying to draw fire 
upon the village. He was taken, questioned immediately, and then sent 
to the rear, where, well, we don't know what happened, but we used our 
imagination. We heard that the signalling by that German had caused 
hundreds of casualties in the fourth division. 

This position proved to be a poor one, because it was too close to a 
hill to allow the guns to fire. 

The next day, August 4th, the menu consisted of hard tack and fresh 
air. Men were sent to locate the Echelon. Evidently they were having 
their troubles, because these men reported the Echelon to be strung out 

(38) 



for almost ten kilometres, and, h\ a misunderstanding!; the kitchen, at one 
time, was nearly in "No Man's Land." 

Those who were with the jjuns spent the day in explorinii and jjetting 
souvenirs. Quite often they would have to seek a place of refuj^e, for 
the enem\' kept shelling;. 

One of the interesting si.ghts was the old villai^e church, w'hich for 
some strange reason, had not been destroyed. Some of the Battery men 
entered, removed their helmets and someone began to play the organ. It 
is needless to say that more than one tear was shed as the boys' thoughts 
turned to their church back home. 

One could see, not only ambulances, but trucks, taking the gassed 
and wounded to the rear. Shelling grew worse. Troville received a bad 
wound and was sent to the hospital. 

One fellow was coming up the road with a water-cart drawn by 
two mules. As the shells landed near him he stopped his mules and ran 
for a dug-out, just as a shell landed between the two mules, blowing them 
to pieces. 

That night we heard that we were to move at 12.30. When that 
time came every one was read\, but every road in the town was shelled 
— steadily. 

At 2 A. M., August 5th, we pulled out and down the main road, for 
our clever engineers had filled in the places that had "B'een blown up. A 
few shells landed in some nearby fields, but who cared, — we were 
R-E-L-I-E-V-E-D — Yes, relieved, at last. How much that word meant! 
The gun crews were joined by the Echelon, and tired, hungry and sleepy 
we plugged along. Men certainly were nervous. A 6" gun of the 
Yanks went off, and the men jumped and shivered. Ordinarily these 
same men could have slept through it; a reaction was now' taking place! 

The column halted and all who had been walking got into auto 
trucks. Off they went and the rest came close behind. Soon the build- 
ings of Chateau-Thierry loomed up, and at 7 A. M. the Battery stopped 
there. What a change! How many civilians! Here a Red Cross Can- 
teen was found, and soon bought out. Here some of the boys met friends, 
as the company of 14th engineers containing several local boys, was quar- 
tered there. One thought was in everybody's mind: Relieved at last! 
We were informed that the division had over five thousand casualties, 
2000 permanent. 

At noon we received a good meal, our regular rations, with additions 
from the Red Cross. Mail came and oh! what rejoicing. 

We received news that our Battery had lost the largest number of 
horses and the smallest number of men. 

(39) 



One German prisoner heard one of the fellows say, "It won't be 
long before we are in Berlin," and he said, "Yes, but when 30U are you 
will have P. G. (Prisoner of War) on \our back." 

About seven on the night of the 5th, we again moved in the same 
manner of the early morning, and on the morning of August 6th, we ar- 
rived at Sacy-et-Mery. After completing the care of the horses we went 
into houses, barns or the schoolhouse to sleep. 

At noon we got up and after dinner inspected the town. The peo- 
ple seemed quite pleasant, but the storekeepers charged tremendous prices 
for their goods. For a franc, or about twenty cents, one would receive 
four cookies the size of a half dollar. 

Just outside of the village ran the Marne River. We noticed that 
the steel bridges had been wired so that they could be blown up easily in 
case of the enemy coming through. 

The gans and carriages had to be cleaned, as usual, but there was 
no drill. 

In the next town, Nanteul, was the railroad station. When the fel- 
lows found that the trains went to Paris, a number went each day, on 
their own responsibility, as no passes were issued. 

Passes, however, were issued to La-Ferte, which could be reached 
by a short ride on the train. It was surprising to see the number of mo- 
tor truck companies of which the men Avere Chinese, going around La- 
Ferte. 

On August loth, we all went to the "cootie plant," where after a 
bath in the Marne, we received clean, but not new, clothes. 

In the afternoon some went walking while others went fishing. It 
seemed that one must be French to catch French fish, for all the boys 
could get was a nibble. 

At night we were entertained once more by our divisional show and 
our band. 

August ijth, ui the late afternoon we left and went towards Cha- 
teau-Thierry. We received news that Mahlon Dennett had died from 
his wounds, making the second member of our Battery to give up his life. 
Sadness again came over the Battery, and many remarked of his ability as 
a gas corporal. Whenever any gas shells had landed, he was right there 
to discover the nature of it, and of what degree of danger it was. 

Lieut. Thompson now left for the States. 

On the morning of August 14th, we entrained and pulled out. On 
our travels we passed several aviation fields and one large British camp. 

Early in the morning of the 15th, we arrived at Pothires, where we 
detrained and moved over the road. 

(40) 




BUILDING DYNAMITED BY RETREATING GERMANS 



(41) 



Now came a biL;; mystery. Where was Teddy, our mascot? The 
last time anyone had seen him was at Chateau-Thierry, so someone else 
must have adopted him. 

We arrived finally at Chaumont de liois, a quiet little town sur- 
rounded by hills. Surely no one could go astray in this town, for the 
only place of interest to soldiers was the Cafe, and that was ordered 
closed. We soon found out that we were there to teach our replacements 
about the guns and horses. Drills of several varieties commenced im- 
mediately. 

On August 23rd, we had another pay-day, so those who desired to, 
and could locate milk or eggs, purchased them. 

We now received a new Major, named Thurber. We were told 
that Major Herbert was to be Lt.-Col. 

On August 26th, our Battery baseball team defeated a team of 
colored engineers, the score being 18 to 10. When our opponents were 
winning, they gave all kinds of yells, but when they became losers — it 
was sudden gloom. 

At night our band played and Everett Collins sang. Of course the 
whole town turned out to that and it must have been a great day in the 
history of the town. 

The next night, the divisional show was performing in Obtree, the 
next town. 

We had heard that we were to receive furloughs and the order that 
they were to be granted us was made up, when on August 28th an order 
came calling all furloughs off. 

We noticed in the American papers that the Kaiser had been in 
Chateau-Thierry at the start of the drive, to encourage his men to pro- 
ceed into Paris. We vv^ere glad to realize his work was useless. 

Messer of Lowell, an aviator, flew over the town several times. An- 
other aviator that Andover men knew, flew over and dropped Lawrence 
and Boston papers. 

On August 30th, the Battery again pulled out. Everyone seemed 
glad to move away, because there was too much reaction caused by hav- 
ing been actively fighting, and then coming to a quaint little town about 
five hundred years behind modern times. We went to Poincon and en- 
trained in record time. Soon the train began to move and we were ofi 
again to, — well, no one knew, but it seemed to be in everyone's mind we 
would head for Verdun. 



(42) 



CHAPTER VI 

St. Mlhiel 

On Friday-, Aus^ust 31st, the Battery detrained at Ligny, and moved 
over the roads. After passing through Longeville, we turned into an old 
road which led to some woods. Here a halt was called, horses and men 
were fed, and preparations for the night made. In the distance could be 
seen Bar-le-duc, which naturally made the fellows desire an opportunity 
to go there. Some did go. 

As darkness came on, most everyone rolled into his blanket and went 
to sleep. It soon began to rain, to add to our discomfort. 

At one o'clock the next morning. Sept. ist, everybody was ordered 
to get up and be ready to move. Everybody did as directed, at the same 
time wishing the Kaiser all kinds of good luck (?). At 3 A. M. we 
pulled out and moved slowly along the dark road. What a rainy, mis- 
erable night it was! Alongside of us marched the Infantry, going the 
same direction, so we knew we were off to the front. At one time we 
were on the road to Verdun, and at daybreak we pulled into some woods 
near Issoncourt, where we stayed for the day, keeping under cover of the 
woods at all times. 

As soon as it was dark we once more set out. It was a cold night 
with the moon shining brightly. 

At daybreak the next day, Sept. 2nd, we pulled up a very steep 
hill, into some woods, where, as usual, orders were given to keep every- 
thing under cover. Men were not allowed out in the open until dark- 
ness, and horse? were not watered until night. 

We spent several days there and one day we heard that the reason 
we were hiding was because the enemy thought we, of the 26th, were 
at a rest camp. Instead, here we were in some woods near Muilly. 

On the night of Sept. 8th, we once more moved on. We did not 
go very far before we met a great deal of French Infantry coming back 
and all kinds of Artillery moving up. 

(43) 



At daybreak, the next day, we passed throuLrh Rupt to some woods, 
where we once more went into hidinjj;. 

The next da\- it rained a great deal, and the day after, Sept. iith, 
the woods was nothing but a regular mud-hole. 

The guns went into position, and the Echelon moved to another 
place a short distance awa\'. The Major ordered that only the men 
absolutely needed were to be at the guns, so we expected something 
to happen very soon. 

At one o'clock on the morning of Sept. I2th, the barrage began 
and at daybreak it was still going. A new officer named Trapnel had 
just arrived from the officer's training school. He immediately went to 
the gun position, and two hours later, was wounded in the head. At 
nine o'clock, our Infantry went over the top. The enemy was caught 
sleeping, and down the road marched German and Austrian prisoners. 
Whole companies, with their officers, were brought in. Some of them 
carried their machine-guns on their shoulders. It was reported that 
fifteen hundred had been captured that day. 

Albert Thompson, during the barrage, had one of his fingers taken 
off, by the breech-block. 

The next morning, Sept. 13th, at five o'clock, all the guns began to 
move up, so as to get within the range of the retreating enemy. We 
had never seen such strongholds as the eneimies' trenches, concrete dug- 
outs, all sorts of barbed wire, etc., were. It was no wonder the Ger- 
mans, yes, and even the French said, "It's no use to try to go through." 
But they didn't know the Yanks. 

As we passed through what had been "No Man's Land," we no- 
ticed how everything had been torn up by the shells. The branches of 
the trees had been shot off in the several years bombarding. We saw a 
hole in the road, in which one of our Infantry Supply wagons had 
dropped, and it was a German tank-trap. 

Prisoners streamed down the roads, some carrying their own wound- 
ed, while others were made to carry the American wounded. 

A band which used to play on Mount Sec in Toul, was in this 
sector, too, when it, instruments and all, was captured by the 26th. Con- 
siderable jam, beers, tools, guns, etc., were captured or found, and one 
canteen, taken by our Infantry, contained over nine hundred cans of jam. 
George Mitchel and Crotty, while looking into some dug-outs, saw 
an Austrian. After searching him, they turned him over to the Military 
Police. 

At night the guns went into position near St. Maurice, while the 
Echelon was established at Billson-Le-Cotes. 

(44) 



Wf writ' told that in the two days vvc had advanced 14,' j kilo- 
meters with total losses of 250, while in Chateau-Thierry 5,500 were 
lost in i8>j kilometers. 

We were ^reatU surprised to see old men, women and children, 
who had just been released from the Huns after four long years. They 
wept with joy. We saw an enemy dance-hall, swimming-pool and bowl- 
ing alleys in the woods. 

At ten o'clock on the morning of Sept. 14th, we again moved over 
the roads, heading for St. Remy. We saw an Austrian gun which our 




A GERMAN TRENCH MORTAR GUN 

brave Infantry had captured, and turned it on the retreating enemy. 
We found some magazines which contained cartoons of Pres. Wilson, 
Roosevelt, and others, done by German cartoonists. 

The Battery went into position in some woods on the top of a hill 
a kilometer away from St. Remy. Our rations then consisted of "corn- 
willie," and we had it boiled, stewed, fried, and in general, served in 
everv conceivable wa\. As one fellow said, "We had 'corn-willie' and 



(45) 



bread for dinner, and for supper we are going to have a change because 
we are to have bread and 'corn-willie'." 

From time to time we received gum, etc., from the Knights of 
Columbus, free of charge. 

On Sept. 15th, the enemy planes were quite active, so we kept out 
of sight a^- much as possible. Engineers salvaged a huge search-light 
from the top of a hill, which had before been flashed in the skies to 
find our planes. An anti-aircraft battery went into position across the 
road from ours. 

There was not much shelling from the enemy, due to the fact that 
they had not recovered from their surprise. 

After dark, on Sept. ibth, the Battery moved to some hills on the 
other side of St. Remy. Here were dug-outs, in some cases 40 or 50 
feet under-ground, and one had a wooden floor in it. It was equipped 
w^ith electric lights, and had been used by the enemy as a danec hall. 

A short distance from the position one could look out to the plains 
and in the distance see some mines which the enemy was working. 

The horses of the gun-sections were now kept on the outskirts of 
St. Remy while the rest were in the woods near Rupt. 

On Sept. 20th, we again changed our position, this time to the 
outskirts of Les Espargese. Here the guns were in an open space, and 
the men lived in dug-outs in the trenches. In one trench was a concrete 
foundation, through which came good drinking water. 

We were informed that over 30,000 French had lost their lives in 
the defense of Les Esparges. 

We received good news about the advance made by General AUen- 
by into Palestine, etc., which helped to cheer us up a bit. 

About the 22nd the gun-section horses were brought up and kept 
near the position, the drivers living in their pup-tents, because of the 
shortage of dug-outs. In this position quite a few shells arrived and 
occasionally gas. 

On the morning of Sept. 27th our guns fired a big barrage, while 
our Infantry "went over." At our left we could hear the thunder of 
guns, so we knew another offensive was on. All day long the firing was 
on at intervals, and we were informed that our Infantry was only 
marking-time. That is, they would advance and then fall back, advance 
again and fall back, the idea of this being to give the enemy in our sector 
the impression that an offensive was starting there, so that they would 
keep all their men there and would not send any assistance to the sector 
on the left. All day and night we could hear the thundering of the guns 
at our left. 

(46) 



On Oct. 1st there was considerable air activity, and the enemy 
went over the position several times, endeavorinjj; to take pictures, but 
soon retired because of the Hre from the anti-aircraft Liuns. 

When we awoke on the morning of Friday, Oct. 5th, we realized 
that we had now been in France one whole year. As a celebration was 
to be held at the Echelon, which had now moved up considerably, a 
certain number were allowed to iio from the tjuns, to attend. The cele- 
bration war held in the woods, and after Lt. Col. Herbert had spoken 
a few moments he introduced our Division Commander, Major-Cieneral 
Edwards, who had to wait for the cheering to cease, before he could 
begin his address. He called our attention to the fact that he was 
wearing the second gold stripe, which we were all now entitled to wear, 
showing that we had served two six-month periods in foreign service. 
He spoke seriously and humorously, inquiring if we had any "dope" on 
the end of the war, explaining that he had tried to get overcoats for us, 
and asking us if we would like a division insignia to wear on our uni- 
forms, showing that we were members of the "Yankee Division. I believe 
everyone answered in the affirmative. Our Regimental Band played 
and the Division show was given. One of our former battery members. 
Royal Hayes, appeared in one of the numbers, reciting very cleverly, 
his original poem, "The Trenches." At the conclusion of the enter- 
tainment, the Supply Sergt. of each battery, gave each man two gold 
stripes. 

In the early hours of the morning of Oct. lOth, the enemy shelled 
all positions with gas, but our battery had its usual good luck in not 
losing a man. "B" of Worcester, and "D" of New Bedford, suffered 
a large number of casualties from it. 

We now received news that our commanding officer, Lieut. Lee H. 
Cover, had been promoted to Captain. When the fellows at the position 
received this news they gathered outside his dug-out and gave three 
cheers. 

We noticed that the 79th Division Infantry was now going into the 
lines, and on the night of Oct. lOth, one platoon of our guns was relieved. 
The next morning the other was, by a battery of the 114th Field Art. of 
the 30th Division. They told us that they were shock troops. One of 
our fellows said, "They certainly must be shock troops, for I got a 
terrible shock, when I noticed that, as they didn't have any hidden lights 
for their aiming sticks, they used candles." 

On the night of Oct. iith, the whole regiment again assembled at 
the Echelon, and pulled out on the roads, bound for another sector. 



(47) 



CHAPTER VII 

]\Icuse-Argnniic — Armistice. 

On the murniiiij; of Oc;. I2th, at 4 o'clock, we arrived at a French 
camp named Sautelle, in some woods, not a great waj'S from Verdun. 
After the horses had been taken care of, pup-tents were pitched and the 
fellows soon went to sleep. It was a rule in the Field Artillery that 
the horses must be taken care of before the men. We heard of two 
reasons for this, one being that a man could take care of himself, while 
a horse couldn't, and other, that if a man was lost another could take 
his place, but horses were scarce! Several large horses which had been 
assigned to the Battery at St. Mihiel, died, and it seemed as though 
they could not stand the strain nearly as well as the "skin and bones" 
type. 

At this camp it rained a great deal, and if any of the fellows could 
have gotten hold of the maker or the inspector of the "slickers" we were 
issued, he would have been used with about as much gentleness as the 
Crown Prince would get. 

Not much was done at this camp, outside of the regular routine, 
and those who did not visit Verdun, etc., had a good rest. Several times 
during the day we could hear shells passing over the woods. They 
sounded as though they w^ere going a long distance. 

On the railroad tracks near our camp, several large French Naval 
guns were camouflaged. 

On the afternoon of Oct. 17th, we were issued our overcoats. 

On the afternoon of Oct. i8th, our guns left for the front, taking 
a position at Dead Man's Hill. 

McPherson and Sjostrom, who were wounded in July, returned to 
the Battery. When they showed us their wounds and how they had 
healed, we agreed that there really must be some clever surgeons in the 
army. 

On Oct. 19th, the Echelon moved a few kilometres to a field, border- 
ing on a pond, near the town of Thierville. The Echelon appeared as 

(48) 



thouiih it would be an ideal location, but the position, in anions hills 
and valleys, w as in a warm place. 

On Oct. 2ist, several 14 inch American Naval i^uns located near 
the Echelon, and they were a splendid piece of work. The crew with 
them started preparino; stationary positions for them. The sailors were 
very much interested in our experiences, and wished they could see more 
of the front. 

On the morning of Oct. 2ist, Co. M of Lowell started an attack, 
and was backed by our Battery guns, so it was another "Lowell Day." 
The drivers of our Battery reported that on every trip they "ducked 
shells." 

On Oct. 23rd, the batteries commenced to fire intensely, and Robert 
Martin was severely wounded, while William Thompson received a 
sh'ght wound on the hand. 

On Oct. 25th, we received our pay, and at the Echelon a few 
received permission to go to Verdun. 




GATES OF VERDUN 
A French battery, having lost a number of men by gas, received 
replacements from our Battery. Every day the batteries fired a great 
deal, and we heard an attack was on. Our Regt. Chaplain Stackpole 
gave his farewell address, and he was transferred to a seaport. 

(49) 



On Oct. 27th, we heard that during the week our favorite, General 
Edwards, had been relieved of his command and was to return to the 
States. 

On Oct. 29th, our First Sergt., Joseph Daley of Andover, left for 
officers' school, and he was presented a purse of money from the boys. 
The same day the naval guns fired. They made a terrible noise. First 
a cloud of smoke could be seen, and then came a terrific explosion, which 
shook everything around. French soldiers were ordered out of the old 
houses in Thierville, because of the buildings falling from the shock. 
The horses out in the fields all ran together to the center of the field, 
where it seemed as if they were discussing what to do. We were in- 
formed that the shells fired weighed 1,400 pounds, and could make a 
direct hit at 25 miles. Imagine a gun in Lowell, hitting something aimed 
at in Boston. 

On Oct. 30th, we heard that the Divisional Insignia would be a 
light blue Y. D. One of the boys saw a Frenchman's trousers on a 
line, so cut the seat out of them, thus providing a number of insignias, 
as the French uniform was of light blue. A short time later a darker 
blue was accepted to be official. 

Every day the enemy shelled the positions, and because of the naval 
guns at the Echelon, some shells landed there, killing horses. Oison, of 
the Battery received a slight wound. 

On Oct. 30th, Corp. George Quessy was severely wounded, and 
sent to the hospital. 

Oct. 31st our position was shelled all day, and as the dug-outs had 
formerly been the enemies, the entrances faced them. Our guns kept 
firing back. In the afternoon the enemy got a direct hit on a dug-out of 
"E" Battery of Worcester, killing several and wounding a number more. 
Corp. Black, our Battery clerk, went out while the shelling was on, 
and helped considerably in caring for the unfortunate ones of "E" 
Battery. During the night we had to wear our masks several times 
because of gas. 

On Nov. 1st, the enemy shelled us a little, and in the afternoon we 
heard they had retreated two kilometres, so we expected to move up. 

Corp. George Quessy died of wounds received Oct. 30th, making the 
third death in the Battery. Another popular, cheerful boy had given 
his life. 

On November 3rd, we moved to a hill near Death Valley, to an 
advanced position, a mile nearer the enemy than before. The Echelon 
stayed in the same place. Because of the new location, the kitchen at the 
position was in the valley at the foot of the hill. 

(50) 



We heard that Lyons. Sjostrom and Parsons were gassed while at 
Battalion Headquarters. At our Hattery position Harry Cole, Parker, 
Hopkins, Marshall and others were j^assed, the first two being sent to 
the hospital. 

We found out that immediately after we had left our recent posi- 
tion at Dead Man's Hill, the enemy had landed some "308's" there. 

The enemy, instead of their usual way of dropping a few shells 
here and there opened up suddenly and delivered a regular bombard- 
ment on a certain spot. 

A few yards from the guns was a dug-out, which had, "All Ameri- 
cans keep away from this dug-out as it is mined," chalked on it. 

At the foot of the hill was a stream, and some of the fellows tried 
several times to take a bath, but the enemy shelled them away. 

On Nov. 7th, our guns started to fire considerably again, and the 
drivers were kept busy coming over the shell-swept roads with the 
ammunition. The telephone men found a great deal of difficulty in 
keeping communication, because of the enemies shell fire, but whenever 
an\ thing went wrong, a man was sent to repair it. 

Gas played an important part in this sector, and the gas corporals. 
White and Bostwick, had to be on the alert. It was the custom when 
gas was coming neear the position, for the gas corporal, after the gas 
alarm had been sounded, to go to the doorway of each dug-out and 
shout down, "Everybody got their masks on?" On most occasions the 
masks were on, but in some cases, if the men did not smell much gas, 
they would not put their masks on ; so when the corporal inquired if 
they had them on, they put their hands over their mouths and said "Yes." 
The reply sounded as if the men were talking with their masks on, and 
the gas corporal, better known as "Gas-hound," continued on his way. 
Sometimes, when in doubt if he ran down into the dug-out, he would see 
everyone struggling to get his mask on. 

CorporLl White, informing a comrade about gas stated, "That the 
use of gas, like many of the other weapons now in use in the armies of 
Europe today, such as the catapult, flame projector, trench knife, and 
sling, is an inheritance from the early ages, amplified, improved, and 
made more destructive by the aid of modern science. 

The first record of poisonous gases known to be used by one body of 
individuals against another group as a means of overcoming them 
through suffocation, seems to have taken place during the wars of the 
Athenians and Spartans (431 to 504 B. C.) when the Spartans saturated 
wood with pitch and sulphur and burned it under the walls of those cities 

(51) 



in the hopes of choking the defenders, thus rendering the assault less 
difficult. 

Thej^ also used large bellows to blow the fumes across the defend- 
ers' lines. The first use of gas in modern warfare occurred April 22, 
191 5, as you no doubt have read, when the Germans liberated great 
clouds of gas against the Allies near Ypres which resulted in a complete 
demoralization of the troops, and many casualties. They also began to 
use gas in bombs, hand grenades, and shells. 

A week later the Allies had agreed to manufacture gas in large 
quantities in retaliation. 

By this time gas had been accepted as a modern weapon of warfare 
by all nations of the world, and it was extensively used on both sides. 

The general characteristics of some gases are that they have a strong 
irritating effect upon the respiratory mucous membrane. They may 
cause death through suffocation, or induce bronchitis or pneumonia. 

Chlorine gas has a strong irritating odor, it being very much the 
same as that caused by Chloride of lime. This gas causes coughing and 
irritations of the eyes, even in concentrations that are not fatal. 

A man exposed to a strong concentration of gas, say one to five 
hundred, or one to two thousand, may be affected to much an extent that 
he finds it impossible to draw air into his lungs, causing him to fall 
unconscious, and to die within a very few minutes. 

Phosgene gas is different in many respects from chlorine, and on 
the whole is more efficient and deadly. The symptoms are those of 
drowning. The victim becomes cold, clammy, and struggles for breath. 
His breath comes fast. Fluid from the lungs runs from his nose and 
rrouth. 

A number of cases are saved by the timely and prolonged use of 
oxAgrru You can therefore see readily why phosgene is a good gas; if 
strong it kills immediately, if moderate, it makes one most sultry and 
distressing. 

In the view of the enemy a long drawn out causualty is of more 
value than immediate death, as it takes several men to care for one 
injured man. With this idea in mind the Germans issued stringent 
orders against the use of gases which kill instantly, namely Hydrocyanic 
acids. 

This gas causes a direct action on the central nervous system, caus- 
ing total abolition of its functions, and kills by paralyzing the respiration. 
Death is therefore very sudden. 

(52) 



Nitrochlonform is the most powerful, as it renders vision impossible 
after 5 to 10 minutes" exposure. It also has another quality, that of 
penetratins; the masks causini; vomiting which necessitates the removal 
of the mask. For this reason it is more often used at the beginning of 
gas attacks, then generally they throw a more poisonous gas as a finish- 
ing touch. Mustard gas is the most feared. It is only slightl\ irritant 
to the nose and throat causing a certain amount of sneezing, but no dis- 
comfort or oppression in the chest. It does not immediately irritate the 
eyes but acts several hours later. 

On the other hand it is very irritating to the skin, causing many 
severe and lasting burns. 

It has a very high boiling point (392 Fahrenheit), and therefore 
remains in shell holes and shell fragments for many days, and will pro- 
duce its characteristic eye and skin effects on those who enter and work 
in those areas even several days after the bombardment. 

If strong enough it will cause permanent blindness or at any rate a 
very long and painful case of temporary blindness. 

There was one case in our regiment, in which 14 horses were burned 
to death by mustard, and 84 men were evacuated, suffering from severe 
burns of mustard gas. Of 84 men, 34 died. B Battery, 102nd F. A. 

Tin' Alarkiiiffs of Gas Shells. 

The most common gas shells are marked with crosses of green, blue, 
or yellow. 

A green cross signifies that the shells contain Phosgene or Diphos- 
gene gas. A blue cross shell contains Sneezedorf or Dyphenyl-chlorarsine 
gas which comes under the head of Metallic poisons, such as organic 
compounds of arsenic. 

A yellow cross shell is the mustard gas shell whose odor is so slight 
as to make men careless and slow to adjust their masks, thinking that 
the gas is of insufficient strength to be harmful, and thereby often leads 
them to death. 

Different Methods of Attack. 

There are two distinct methods of attack. One is by shell fire, and 
the other by cloud attack. 

The first cloud attacks were made by placing cylinders containing 
gas near the front line trenches fifty metres apart. 

A pipe extended over the parapet from a valve in the cylinder. At 
a given time all cylinders were opened freeing the gas which was wafted 
across NO MAX'S LAND to the enemy's lines in large quantities tak- 
ing the shape of a cloud or heavy fog. 

(53) 



The hissing of the escaping gas however foretold of the coming 
wave which thereby lost its effectiveness, inasmuch as it could no longer 
be used in a surprise attack. To overcome this the English invented the 
projectory gas attack which consists of throwing many large cylinders 
of gas into the enemy's lines, all being thrown at the same instant. 

These are thrown across the lines by means of an engine of warfare 
similar to the trench mortar and whose range is approximately i,8oo 
metres. 

Shell fire is generally directed upon back areas and battery posi- 
tions. Many shells are fired on some one point to get as high a con- 
centration of gas as is possible, and therefore better results. 

An ordinary gas shell is filled with liquids and has a small bursting 
charge which explodes upon landing with a loud pop and hissing sound. 
The Germans are now using high explosive shells filled with gas which 
upon exploding gives one the impression that it is a non-gas shell. They 
sometimes fire gas over in shrapnel, but only in rare cases. 

A battery position which is on high land is practically immune from 
an attack of a serious nature as gas clouds are much heavier than air 
and drift slowly into hollows and low lands. 

Gas will hang for days at a time in heavy woods and in dug-outs 
unless preventative measures are taken in the latter case. There are 
several good measures of precaution which if followed earnestly will 
make a dug-out tenable. Entrances to dug-outs should be covered with 
dampened blankets which when lowered allow but little gas to enter 
the dug-out. If perchance there should be a leakage, or gas is brought 
into the dug-out on the clothing, gas blankets can be used to a good 
advantage in freeing the dug-out from gas. Every dug-out should be 
provided with these fans. 

Another method is to light a good fire. The heat escaping and the 
fresh air entering in its place causing sufficient circulation to free it 
from gas. 

At Toul during the course of several gas attacks, and as we were 
sitting in our dug-outs, uncertain as to whether our gas blankets were 
adjusted properly or not, we suddenly bethought ourselves as to how the 
British had acted under similar circumstances. One chap had heard 
that they smoked cigarettes when in doubt as to the presence of gas. 

Upon lighting a cigarette this chap noticed a very queer taste to it 
which informed us that gas had come into our dug-out. A few minutes 
later our nostrils also recorded the fact so we adjusted our masks prop- 
erly, never being in danger for a moment. 

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Since then \vc have followed this practice faithfully and have bene- 
fitted thereby." 

On Nov. 8th, we saw an Allied plane in battle wi'h an e;iem\ plane. 
After several minutes had passed, the enemy plane ^ot on fire and started 
to ;j;o down. To our amazement we saw the pilot jump out in a para- 
chute, and drift slowly to the ground, no doubt landing; in satety. We 
had seen numerous parachute jumps from balloons, b it from a falling 
plane was some different. The same day we saw about forty Allied 
planes go over on a bombing trip, no doubt to Metz. 




AN ALLIED BOMBER BROUGHT DOWN BY ENEMY 

In the earl\ part of the evening the position received a terrihc shell- 
ing, and as the communication lines were cut, two special detail men 
were sent to repair the damage. While out they no doubt were spotted 
by an enemv aviator, for soon a barrage was opened on them. How- 
ever, they repaired the lines and returned safely. Later on the position 
was shelled with gas. 

On the morning of Nov. gth, a "sniper" went out, under Lieut. 
Berry, with the following crew, Sergt. Geo. Collins, Corp. Shea, Pvts. 
Symonds, Corckery, Cheswick, Nesting and Riley, and the drivers in 
charge of Corp. Mulvey were Hack. John Daley, Lepine, Doyle, Mc- 
Elrov and Cudworth to aid the Infantry in several places. They ex- 



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perienced considerable difficulty, and had to get the gun and horses out 
of the mud several times. With us was a gun and crew from the 
Worcester Battery, who were taking the place of our "sniper" while it 
was gone. 

On the evening of Nov. loth, we pulled out of the position. It 
was a cold night, and those who were walking tried to go as far ahead 
of the column as they safely could, and then crawl into a dug-out, start 
a fire, and wait for the Battery to come along. Five of our men had 
gone on furloughs, for they had now really come to us. All night long 
we moved and the next morning, Nov. iith, about daybreak, we went up 
an old road, passing considerable Infantry resting. As we came to an 
old field we halted, guns were set, and horses sent back. In front of 
us were the remains of a town named Beaumont. 

What a place! The only thing camouflaged was the guns, and we 
were right in the open. Suppose the enemy should see us now? — Good- 
by Battery F! 

We heard a few large shells go way over us, and although ordi- 
narily no attention was paid to them, a number of the boys remarked 
that they weren't taking any chances, because, if that so-much-talked- 
about-armistice was to be signed soon, they wanted to be present. 

After breakfast was served, the fellows lay down in the field and 
tried to sleep. At 10.50 everyone was at his post, and the order to "fire" 
was given. At 1 1 o'clock the order was given to "cease fire," and Sergt. 
George Faneuf fired the last shot of the Battery. This gun's record 
had been kept, and it had fired 12,500 round, and was the same gun 
used at Chemin Des Dames. 

The officers told us that the armistice was now on. Some believed 
it, some didn't. The majority thought they would be sure before they 
celebrated, and so went to sleep. At night rockets were going up, fires 
were burning, and we all knew that such a thing would never be allowed 
if an armistice was not on. Soon fires were going up at Battery F. 
Some French troops passed by and yelled "Fini-le Guerre" (the war is 
ended). 

The next morning, after breakfast, everyone managed to get some 
paper and write home to let the folks know that they were alive. 

The telephone between our Battery and the Battalion Headquarters 
did not work, so a man was sent out to find the trouble. He followed 
the wires quite a distance, until he came suddenly to where the wire 
ended. He looked around for the other end, and found it about 20 yards 
away. Having extra wire with him, he soon put the 20 yards on, but 
where had the other wire gone? He looked about, and then smiled as 

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he noticed that in front of him were several tents, the property of our 
Infantry comrades, which were being held up by the missing wire. No 
doubt they had figured that as long as the armistice was on, a telephone 
would be of no use. 

The sniper and crew returned and had similar experiences as the 
rest of the Battery, Lieut. Kennedy of the Battery, who was attached 
to the Infantry, having notified them of the armistice. At one time the 
gun and men were in "No Man's Land," when the Infantry withdrew, 
but the men were in a good dug-out to get a little sleep, and so reluc- 
tantK obeyed the order to withdraw. 

During the day the fellows collected stumps, rubbish, etc., and put 
them in one pile for a lire at night, while others were busy collecting 
rockets. The drivers who came up took the rockets with them to the 
Echelon. 

We saw French prisoners just released, who were returning, and 
some of the fellows went to the trenches of the enemy, where only old 
clothes could be found. 

After dark the fires were lighted and rockets sent up at the posi- 
tion and at the Echelon. Everywhere were celebrations, and everyone 
wondered what the folks at home were doing. Some of the rockets did 
not go in the direction they were intended for, so that if we were not 
dodging shells, we were rockets! 

As we gathered around the fires, songs were sung, and general re- 
joicing was in order. Someone said, "I remember once a Lieutenant saw 
one of the drivers striking his horse with his whip continually, and rode 
up, saying, "Young man, don't use your whip on that horse.— use your 
head." He said the Lieutenant wondered why everybody laughed. 

No one cared whether they slept any or not, and so some stayed up 
all night, while others turned in just before sunrise. 

There was one question in everybody's mind now, and that was, 
"When do we go home?" We were the First National Guard in 
France, we had fought since February, and about everywhere, so why 
shouldn't we be among the first ht)me? 



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CHAPTER VIII 

Departure from Front — Sabuagne — Saitlxures. 

On the evening of Nov. 13th, 1918, the guns were taken out of 
position and drawn to the Echelon at Thierville. The next morning the 
Battery pulled out with the rest of the regiment, over the road. All 
day long we moved, and as the whole division was on the move, it took 
a long while to go even a short distance. 

Ahout 8 P. M. the Battery halted for supper, which, although 
consisting of only corn-willie and hardtack, was very acceptable. 

After supper we again moved and made the final halt at a little 
village named Fleury. After the horses were taken care of, the men 
went into barns for the night. 

Early the next morning, Nov. 15th, we again started and travelled 
all day. At 7 P. M., all very tired and many footsore, but what did 
we care, the war was over, we made the final stop at Belrain, a quaint 
little town. After horses and men were fed we were again assigned to 
barns, etc., for the night. 

The next day was spent in cleaning harnesses, guns, and the other 
equipment, for orders were received to be ready to turn them in at any 
time. 

On Sunday, Nov. 17th, some of the boys attended mass at the little 
French church, which was several hundred years old. Through the 
kindness of the village priest, Chaplain Peabody was able to hold ser- 
vices for the other fellows, several hours later. 

The majority of the townspeople were very kind, and the boys 
took advantage of this fact by accepting their invitations. One group of 
Battery boys "chipped in," and had a Frenchwoman kill a lamb and 
serve it with vegetables, etc. We had always been told of the wonder- 
ful cooking of the French, and the before mentioned group will agree 
that it is so. No doubt, several other groups did similar things. 

During the afternoon our horses were "turned in"; while the guns 
were taken to the depot at Tronville, a railhead. 

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On the morninti of Nov. 20th we aijain moved, and as we were 
then dismounted artiUerymen, we had to carry all our belongings on our 
backs. We arrived after noontime, at a little town named Salmagne, 
near Tronville, and about 20 kilometres from Bar-le-duc. We were 
again assigned to barns, etc. 

The next day we were allowed to make our quarters comfortable 
as possible, and were told we would probably stay a long while. 

On Nov. 22nd, we had infantry drill in the morning, and in the 
afternoon a football game was played between Battery C of Lawrence, 
and our Battery. Of course there was all the rivalry that there would 
be at any Lowell-Lawrence affair in America, and finally our Battery 
won by a score of 7 to o. 

Ever\ morning during the week was given to football, while the af- 
ternoon was given over to other sports. 

Saturday morning was inspection, and the afternoon was of leisure. 

Sunday was a day of rest, providing one was not assigned to guard, 
etc. 

There was a great deal of rain, and the quarters were none too 
comfortable. 

In town there were a few stores, but, as usual, the\ were of the 
"get-rich-quick" type. 

One of the most interesting things to the boys was the old sheep- 
herder of the town. As he went down the street in the morning with 
his dog, he blew his horn ; this being a signal for the people to let out 
their sheep as he went by. Then he took the sheep out to the pastures 
for all day. bringing them back at 5 P. M. As he came up the street, 
he again blew his horn, and the people opened their shed doors. As 
the sheep came to their home they left the others and ran in. 

The town crier also proved of interest. When he had an announce- 
ment to make, he beat his drum several times, until the people opened 
their doors. Then he read the announcement. Of course, this was a 
chance for some of the Battery comedians, and it was not long before 
some of them could imitate the town crier to perfection. On one oc- 
casion, one of the boys was so clever, that by beating a wooden box and 
crying out, several of the townspeople opened their doors. 

Nov. 28th was Thanksgiving Day, and as our rations had not been 
coming iVi very well. Mess Sergt. Scannell went to Bar-le-duc, where 
he invested in a number of kinds of foods. The menu consisted of roast 
lamb, onions, carrots, potatoes, gravy, nuts, pudding, etc. What were 
we thankful for? We were thankful that we had been through the 
great coiylict, and were yet alive! 

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On Nov. 29th we drilled in the morning, and in the afternoon our 
Battery played football with Battery A of Haverhill, neither side scoring. 

About this time we found that in a nearby town, Triconville, a 
Salvation Army Hut was located, so whenever an opportunity presented 
itself, some of the boys went over there where they obtained doughnuts 
and cocoa. Although it was nearly four miles each way, it was con- 
sidered worth-while. 

But when were we going home? We were among the first over, 
so why not among the first back? All kinds of opinions were expressed, 
some believing that we would be home for Christmas and others by the 
Fourth of Julv. There were also a number of wagers, such as one 
fellow agreeing to give a supper at any Hotel in Massachusetts to the 
other fellow, if they were not home for April 19th. 

Dec. 2nd was pay day, and then someone said that would be our 
last pay in France. Those who wanted to think so, did; but the majority 
didn't. 

On the afternoon of Dec. 3rd, our Battery defeated Battery B of 
Worcester, at football by a score of 36 to o. The playing of Carl 
Lindsey and Everett Collins of Andover, featuring. 

Passes were given now for Bar-le-duc, of which a large number 
took advantage. Two fellows went into a little store and as they 
glanced over the stock, noticed some cans having labels on them, showing 
strawberries. The boys inquired how the jam there was, thinking it 
must be strawberry jam. The clerk informed them it was not jam, but 
strawberry shaded varnish. 

Services were held in barracks by the Chaplain, and mass in the 
village church by the village priest. 

On the morning of Dec. 9th, we were reviewed by Brig. Gen. 
Glassford, formerly Colonel of the 103rd F. A., but now Brigade Gen. 
Out of the regiment, "E" of Worcester, and our Battery, received 
praise for excellent marching. 

In the afternoon, we, with the whole brigade, again were reviewed, 
this time by Maj. Gen. McNair, chief of Artillery of the First army. 
"F" took the honors of the regiment, for its marching, and the regiment 
of the brigade. 

We were having a great deal of rainfall at this time. 

On Dec. lOth, Captain Cover left on a furlough, the Battery being 
then commanded bv First Lieut. Elmer Dunbar. 



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On tlic afternoon of Dec. 14th, a rciiimental track meet was held. 
A prize of ^50 to i^o to the Mess J'"und of the battery winning the most 
points, was offered. Our Battery ajjain showed what it was made of, 
winninii tlie prize which we called the "Jam Fund," as it was expected 
it would be used to buy jam. The meet was in charge of former college 
athletes like IVIinot, Wilkins, etc. Every event was hard fought. The 
point-getters and the events won by the Battery were as follows: 

Firsts: 300 yard dash, l^indsey ; 600 yard dash, Larratt; Bugling, 
Gurney. 

Seconds: Running broad jump, Smith; Bugling, Douglas; Ball throw- 
ing, E. Collins; Tug-of-war, Nickerson, Robertson, Rosatto, Pall, Elie, 
Jenkins, Bostwick, Barrish, Gleason, and Fahe\ ; Relay Race (150 \ards 
per man). Simons, Flory, H. Larkin, A. Larkin, Lindsey, Lepine, Pall, 
John Dale\, Hanson, Pouters, E. Collins, G. Collins, Winslow, Xichol, 
and Douglas. 

Third: 300 yard dash, Mozley. 

Fourths: 100 yard dash, G. Collins; Running broad jump, Lindsey. 

It was very gratifying to the Battery to come to the front in Track 
work also. The baseball team, under guidance of Everett Collins had 
not suffered defeat, and the football team, captained by Lindse\ and 
coached by Hutchins of the Medical Corps, had won or tied all its 
games. A soccer team, under the leadership of Robert Paterson, had 
played a number of games, not once being defeated. 

In our town there was a yoimg woman who kept a store. Because 
she was always smiling, she was called Madam Smiles. C^ne evening 
several of the bo\ s arranged with her to have supper at her house. She 
told them that at the outbreak of the war she was in Belgium. She 
with other women and children were used as a screen by the Huns. 
They were ie to march ahead of the German Infantry so that the 

French and J.lgians would not fire at them. She became tired and 
lagged behind. Por this a German stabbed her in the arm. For similar 
offences children were cut in half. 

On Dec. 19th, we left Salmagne and hiked to Ligny, where we again 
saw our guns. In a steady downpour of rain, we loaded the guns, 
finishing i'^ er midnight. 

At 4 ri. M. on Dec. 20th, the tr;':; pulled out, going all day until 
5 P. M., when we arrived at La-Fcrte-S-R. Here we unloaded the 
guns, and, as we had no horses, pulled them by hand, through mud, up 
on the side of a hill. 

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We then hiked to Anrosey where we crawled into barns for the 
night. Somebody said that the next day we were going to hike to another 
railhead where we would entrain for the coast. We hoped so ! 

The next day, Dec. 2ist, we started on our hike at 9 A. AI. As 
we carried our rolls, and the day was quite warm, we had to have 
several rests along the way. As it got near noon we noticed that the 
Major was not giving many rests, so we decided that we must be near- 
ing our destination. At last we came to a large hill. We all wanted a 
rest but we didn't get it, so up the hill we started. When we had gone 
half wa\ we received the order to halt for dinner. Sweating and tired, 
we were glad for the chance to rest. A cool breeze was blowing then. 
After an hour's rest, we marched on, arriving at Saulxures at 5 P. M. 
Here we saw Capt. Cover, as he had arrived from his furlough. We 
were assigned to barns, and tried to make ourselves comfortable. 

The next day we found that our division was billeted in the various 
towns around ours, and that looked good to us. (}ur Christmas boxes 
began to arrive, and so we felt happy. 

On Dec. 24th, we were informed that Pres. Wilson might pass 
through our village, as he was to be near there on the next day. Every- 
thing was tidied up and the streets cleaned. 

That night, as we sat in the hay, some one began to recite, "It was 
Christmas Eve in the Poorhouse," and we agreed it had nothing on us. 

The next morning, Christmas Day, if one fellow ventured to say, 
"Merry Xmas" to another, he didn't know whether he was insulting 
him or not. The President did not come through our village, as ex- 
pected. As we had arrived in this town just a few days before we had 
no extra rations, so we had an ordinary meal, but were promised a good 
one on the following Sunday. 

Influenza broke out about this time, and on Dec. 27th, there were 
so many cases of it in the battalion that the town was quarantined. No 
one was allowed to enter or go out, except the inhabitants. We got our 
food by billets, one billet at a time. Each man wore a white cloth over 
his mouth and nose, and shelter-halves were put up separating each 
man from the other at night. We were ordered to make ourselves 
comfortable as possible and stoves were sent to each billet. We were 
not allowed out, except on busine?s, physical drill, or a walk by billet. 
Our boys were being sent away, and men of one billet were not allowed 
to mingle with men from another billet, except on guard duty. Of 
course, you couldn't catch the "flu' then! More and more men were 

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sent away eacli day until only a few rcmainod. l^n tht- last day of the 
year it was rainini^ hard, and the quarantine was siill on. Happy New 
Year? Well, the French children had quite a lime visiting each other, 
etc. Every day more men were sent awa\, hut ahout Jan. 8th, some of 
them started to return. They brought sad news, for they said that 
Winthrop Wright of Billerica and John Baker of Andover had died, and 
that a r.;:nber .'nore \vere being sent home. 

Gn Jr,'' 13th, the quarantine was lifted, much to our joy, tor we 
said, "'Suppose we were ordered home and were under quarantine." 

We then made visits to the Infantry in the nearby towns, such as 
Dammar tin, etc. 

During the "flu," our major was sent to another outrit, and the 
new major died suddenly of heart disease. 

On Jan. 20th, details were sent to load the guns, and no tears were 
shed as the guns went away. 

On the morning of Jan. 22nd, we left and hiked back to Anrosey, 
staying that night in barns. 

The next day we rested, and at 6 P. M. left, going 10 kilometres to 
\ itry. When we arrived there, we saw that the regiments which were 
supposed to leave hours ahead of us had not gone. For some reason, 
said to be a wreck, no trains had arrived, so we joined the other troops 
in a nearbv field, where we built fires, etc. It resembled the "night 
before" the Fourth of Jul\ on the Common in Lowell. It was very 
chillv and no one dared to lie on the cold ground, for who wanted the 
"flu"? A quartette consisting of D. Gray, E. Collins, W. Gray, and E. 
Larkin, cheered up the boys with their songs. 

At da\ break we were still there, and at 10 A. M. our train arrived. 
We were packed in so tightly that several had to stand up. Even the 
officers, who usually had first or second class coaches, had to travel in 
box cars. This made the trip more agreeable for us, when we thought 
of the fact. Our whole regiment was on the train, and we left about 
noon. One fellow who had served in the navy, noticed two hooks six 
feet apart at the top of the box car. He tied the ends of his blanket to 
each hook, thu;- making a hammock, and climbed in. 

The next morning we were still on the train and felt like canned 
sardines. We stayed on that night. 



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CHAPTER IX 

Embarkation Area — Brest — Homeward Bound. 

On the morning of January 26, 1919, at eight o'clock, we arrived 
and detrained at IMayet (Sarthe), a town in the Le Mans Embarkation 
Area. After breakfast we hiked about three kilometres to a number of 
old, emptv farm houses and barns, proving, in most cases, to be the best 
yet. At night most everyone went back co Mayet, where our first bat- 
talion was located, to buy fruit, etc. Mayet had stores of various kinds 
and descriptions, and wf nere glad to be living near it. Owing to the 
fact that our battalion was biilcted w the outskirts of Mayet, the first 
battalion called us "The Lost Battalion." 

On the morning of Jan. 28th, we made up our packs and went for 
a road march. In the afternoon we played ball and other games. All 
this hiking we were doing was for a definite purpose, for on Feb. ist, 
we were reviewed by our Division Commander, Maj. Gen. Hale. He 
was very much pleased. He said that we would soon receive rifles. 

Meanwhile, all those desirous of playing on the Regimental Football 
or Soccer Teams, were told to report, and training began immediately. 

On Feb. 2nd the 102nd played the loist at football, for the cham- 
pionship of the brigade. The loist won, 6 to o. Four "F" men, H. 
and E. Larkin, E. Collins and Lindse\ , were on the active list of the 
I02nd, and played well. 

On Feb. 5th, our Regimental Soccer Team defeated the 103rd by 
the score of 5 to 1. The team later at Le IMans, defeated a team of 
French Champions. 

A fight between Mulvey, of our Battery, and Kloby, of "C," began 
to interest us, and the big fight came off on a ring, built in the square at 
Mayet. "F" and "C" had ringside places, while a huge crowd of 
Americans and French were in back. In a balcony was Gen. Sherburne, 
Col. Mack, Herbert, and others. After a number of bouts, the main 
bout came on, Kloby knocking Mulvey out in the sixth round. It was 
a hard fought but clean battle. 

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On Feb. 13th, the Battery with the other batteries of the brigade 
went out on a wild-boar hunt. All men were placed a yard apart and 
at the appointed hour advanced into the woods, led by the Captain. Al- 
though tracks were seen, none in the Battery saw any boars, but deer, 
foxes, etc., were seen. 

On Feb. 15th, we were issued rifles, much to our disgust, as some- 
one expressed it, "I thought the war was over." 

It was necessary that something should be going on all the time to 
keep the fellows from being homesick. Often when the fellows in one 
billet had "turned in" for the night they would be raided by those from 
another billet. Maybe another night, a group would make up as negroes 
and go visiting at midnight. There were cases when football games 
were going on at 2 A. M., but anything for fun. 

Once, just for fun, a first-class private claimed that he had been 
insulted and short-rationed by a "buck" private, who was assisting in 
the kitchen. The following notice was posted: "Private 'Speed' Wil- 
liams. No. 000,000,000 of this Battery, is ordered to report for trial at 
Sergt. McKee's billet at eight P. AI. for insubordination to a first class 
private." 

All arrangements were made for the trial, but at the time to open, 
news was received that Williams had gone to Mayet for the evening, 
so his trial was indefinitely postponed. 

On night a fellow of Italian birth and another of Irish got into an 
argument. To settle it they were to fight a four round contest. Box- 
ing gloves were secured, and the contest was a draw. In the billet where 
this took place, a number of invited guests from other billets were 
present. Before the evening each visitor had been matched up to either 
box or wrestle one of those living there: Thus another evening of fun, 
and another nearer home. 

On February 19th, we left our billets early, traveling quite a dis- 
tance, where we saw our whole division lined up, while in front of us 
were moving picture operators. General Pershing inspected us and as 
he came to our Battery he remarked about its splendid appearance. 

Furloughs began again, so a number went away, although very few 
cared whether they got one or not, as they said they would just as soon 
have it in America. 

Our mornings were taken up in short walks, etc., while in the 
afternoon football, soccer and baseball were played. Some day the of- 
ficers would select a team and play the enlisted men. 



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A contest between the two battalions was ordered and because of 
sickness we had to oppose the first battalion. At the finish we succeeded 
in defeating our opponents. 

Later a divisional meet was held at Eckemoy, where our Battery 
represented the 102nd regiment in games, etc. Teams from the Battery 
were entered in the tug-of-war, gas-mask race, equipment race, and 
medicine-ball race. Although our brothers of the 104th Infantry took 
prizes in almost everything, the Battery secured fifth place in the division 
i<i the gas-mask race. (They were the first in the Artillery.) The reason 
attributed to the Battery not winning many races was that in practice 
for the meet every detail of the rules sent was followed to the letter, but 
at the actual contest, things were different. 

About the middle of March one of the hardest battles that we had 
ever fought in began. It was the "Battle of Cooties," for we were to 
be free of them before we left for home. Our Battery put up two tents, 
one as a bath, and the other for ironing clothes; while outside was an 
arrangement in which blankets, etc., were steamed. After we had been 
through this process several times, our bodies and clothes were inspected 
by doctors until at last there was not a cootie remaining. One afternoon 
we received a similar examination by embarkation doctors. Then we 
began to clean up around the places we had lived in. 

An officer came at this time and announced that any who wished to 
stay over longer to see France or Germany, could sign up with the mili- 
tary police. Several of our boys did. but most of them were westerners. 
On the morning of March 28th, headed by the band, our regiment 
marched to the depot at Mayet, where we entrained. We left shortly 
afterwards. On the train was a cooking arrangement so that when 
mealtime came, at the next stop, several men from each car went to 
the kitchen and carried food in tanks to their respective cars. When the 
train moved the food was served, and the tanks returned at the first 
opportunity. 

We traveled all night, a cold one, and the next morning at nine 
o'clock we saw the ocean. 

Shortly afterwards we detrained at Brest, went through a large 
kitchen where the regiment was fed at one time, and then hiked to the 
camp of which everybody had heard so much. It had barracks for those 
permanently located there, tents for those just staying there for a few 
days, and everywhere were board walks. We also noticed the Y. M. 
C. A., Salvation Army, K. of C, Jewish Welfare and Library buildings. 

(66) 



We at last reached our places and were put in tents. In conversa- 
tion with a I'renchman we were informed that out of the 365 da\s last 
year it rained 335. The next morning we were very much surprised 
to find the ground covered with snow. 

During the day we had several kinds of inspections, and so had to 
be around at all times. Here the kitchens were feeding regiments at 
a time. Lines were formed and as w'e went into the building, we were 
served. Then we went into an annex to eat, and after washing our 
dishes, came out again. If we wanted more there was a special entrance. 

After breakfast on the morning of March 31st, we made our packs 
up and marched down to the docks, where we boarded a lighter. We 
then went down the harbor, where we boarded the "Mongolia," at noon. 
This boat was the first American transport to sink a submarine, and it 
was with great pleasure that the sailors showed us the gun, "Teddy," 
which did the trick. 

Our Battery was assigned to Hatch D 4. Ever\thing was so differ- 
ent from the "P^inland" ; plenty of electric lights, drinking water, can- 
teen, etc. 

At about six -thirty the anchor was drawn up and we put out to 
sea, being at last, Homeward Bound, after about eighteen months in 
a toreign countr)-. 

The trip was taken up in games, reading, etc. At different times 
we received candy, fruit, and other supplies from the Red Cross or K. 
of C. After dark moving pictures were given on deck and were very 
popular. A few boys were sick, but a small percentage in comparison 
with the trip to France. 

On Sunday, April 6th, the Chaplain, now Mr. Stackpole, held ser- 
vices on deck which were largely attended. 

The next afternoon boxing matches between the Army and Navy 
were given and out of the six numbers, each won two and a draw. 

On the evening of April 8th, our Battery was on guard from six 
to ten. 

April 9th, we were told that we would probably land on the morrow, 
so we were lined up on deck, just as we would be when we docked. 
Some of the boys got up at the front of the boat, and I believe, nearly 
strained their eyes looking for a piece of God's country, America. As 
the fellows went down to the bunks (some stayed on deck all night) 
each wore a smile which seemed to say, "One more lap to go." 



(67) 



CHAPTER X 

Ho/iie, Sweet Home — Conclusion. 

At about three o'clock on the morning of April lOth, someone shouted, 
"Everybody on deck to see Boston lit up." Were we dreaming, or was 
it true? We climbed the stairs three at a time, and there we saw the 
Hub once again, and, just think, our homes were only a short distance 
away. 

As we were anchored there, gazing at that wonderful sight, we saw 
a little boat come along, and a feminine voice inquired, "Is David Smith 
of Salem there?" The inquirer received many replies, but not what she 
wished for, as some of the humorous boys told her that he was doing 
time in the "Brig," or that that he was left in prison in France. 

Man\ more boats came alongside, or went around us, as the sun 
rose. Soon Governor Coolidge arrived. 

A government boat was seen coming towards ours, and those on the 
front noticed who was aboard her. Cheers went up and passed through- 
out our boat for several minutes, for there was our leader in the big 
conflict, Major-General Clarence Edwards, standing at attention and 
saluting us. He came on board our boat, accompanied by the governor 
of Rhode Island. 

At seven-thirty o'clock the Mongolia started towards the pier, and 
all sorts of tugs, boats, etc., carrying our friends and relatives, moved 
with us, while the bands on them played, "Home Again From a Foreign 
Shore," and others. 

The first local man we noted, was Robert Marden, who had come 
aboard down the harbor. He represented the Lowell "Courier-Citizen." 

The whistles of all boats and buildings were blown, causing a 
tremendous noise. Everywhere people were lined up to greet us. From 
one pier hundreds of red, white and blue balloons went up. 

At about 7.45 we docked at Commonwealth Pier in South Boston. 
A large crowd had gathered there to greet us. Among them were 
Congressman John Jacob Rogers, Mayor Perry D. Thompson, and Otto 
Hockmeyer. 

(68) 



All the members of the Battery were together on the port side of 
the upper promenade deck, making it fairlj- easy for anyone on the pier 
to get whom they wanted. Because of the early hour there were very 
few of the Battery's friends there. 

Someone of the Battery, noticed a Salvation Army man, and a good 
cheer went to him ; and another one when he threw some doughnuts to us. 

All sorts of food was tossed to us, but a great deal of it did not 
reach us, as it lost its velocity and dropped in the water. 

Someone next spotted some Red Cross people, and another cheer 
went up, while others aboard kept the crowd busy picking up Trench 
coins, German buttons, etc., which they thew to them. 

A few from the Battery were allowed to go on the docks to see 
their friends for a few minutes. 

At about nine o'clock the troops started to go down the gang- 
plank and some remarked, "Isn't it too bad that our mascot Teddy 
never returned, for he too, would be glad to be home once again." 

Shortly afterwards the Battery landed, once more on American soil. 

x^fter roll call in the Pier sheds, the Red Cross served us with 
coltee and rolls, after which we started for the trains to a tune played 
by a Naval Band. 

The Y. M. C. A. handed us a box of cand\ , the K. of C. postal 
cards and handkerchiefs, the Jewish Welfare Board handkerchiefs, and 
the Salvation Army a telegram, which we filled out and they sent for 
us, free of charge. 

It was great to sit in a real American train, after being in so many 
French box cars. Shortly- after ten we pulled out, and as we passed 
the engine yards, all whistles on the engines were going. At every 
cros ing, depot, factory, etc., people waved to us, and when the train 
stopped for a few minutes, everything from fish cakes to ice cream was 
passed in. 

At stops we had to be very careful of our clothes, for people tried 
to pull off our buttons, and take our overseas caps for souvenirs. 

One young lady inquired of one of the boys, "Can you shimmy?" 
What did we know about shimmy dances? Nothing. However, our 
bo3's said, "I don't know what it is, but a Y. D. man can do anything." 
She then explained that it was one of the latest dances. 

We arrived finally at Camp Devens, where we detrained and 
marched to some tents. After dinner we were told to stay there, as we 
would have to go through the "cootie-plant " before we could move to 
better quarters. 

(69) 



We had been at our tents only a few minutes when parents, wives, 
sweethearts, and friends began to arrive. 

The next morninii at two o'clock we were wakened to go through 
the "cootie-plant." We finished at four. 

After breakfast we marched to our new quarters, a barracks form- 
erly occupied by the 302nd Field Artillerx. 

In the afternoon, the Women's Auxiliary of the Battery, arrived 
and gave us all sorts of cake, cookies and other things, with plenty of 
ice cream; our first real treat since we arrived home. Several of the 
women entertained us, and some of the boys did their bit, as usual. 

Sevent\-two hour passes were issued to a certain per cent., another 
lot to be drawn when they returned. 

The upstairs of the barrack, and one room downstairs were sleeping 
quarters, each man having a bunk. The other room downstairs was 
a mess hall, containing a model kitchen and tables, seats, etc. 

Several of the fellows who had joined the Battery in Lowell had 
now become Lieutenants. They w^ere Fir:t Lieut. Berry, and Second 
Lieutf. Holden, Brown, Hogan, E. Matthews, Currie and Gustafson. 

On Tuesday, April 22nd, the whole Division was reviewed by 
General Edwards, before a crowd of 200,G00 people, while 30,000 autos 
had entered the Camp grounds. So far as the Battery was concerned 
the review was executed very well. The only fault the boys found was 
the dust, as we were not used to it after coming from France. 




THE 26th DIVISION REVIEW AT CAMP DEVENS 

One of the pleasing events was the presentation of a Croix de 
Guerre, for bravery, to Corp. Roland Black. 

(70) 



On the morning (if Saturda\, April 25th, we entrained early in the 
morning, and went to Boston, detrainintj near the Charles River Basin. 

In the afternoon we paraded throui^hout the streets of Boston be- 
fore a tremendous crowd. As we neared the end of our route, Gen. 
Edwards reviewed us, and the band played, "Till We Meet A^ain." 
We wore our helmets, and carried packs and gas masks. 

After the parade we marched to the East Armory, where we were 
dismissed, and ordered to report at nine the next morning. Some went 
to shows, some walked the streets all night, and others slept in the 
armory. However, everyone was at the armory at nine the next morning. 

At 10 A. M. we again entrained and went back to Devens. 

Every da\ after this our replacements were sent towards their 
respective homes. 

The next few days were taken up in physical examinations, signing 
papers, etc., and, at last, the big day had arrived, Tuesday, April 29th. 
At ten o'clock the Battery rolls were called, and then Capt. Cover spoke 
a few words. We marched to the camp offices arriving at 10.30. About 
eleven (11) o'clock we marched into the offices, received our pay due, 
and the Government bonus of $60. Last, but by no means the least, 
we received our Honorable Discharge from the United States Army. 
We soon were once more Homeward Bound, with a red stripe, indicating 
our discharge, on our sleeve. 

On the evening of Monday, May 5th, we gathered together again 
at a banquet tendered us by the Battery F Auxiliary. Among the invited 
guests were Congressman John Jacob Rogers, Mayor Perry D. Thomp- 
son, Col. John Herbert, Mr. Otto Hockmeyer, Capt. Winfred C. 
MacBrayne and Chaplain Markham Stackpole. The menu consisted 
of Hot Roast Turkey, Brown Sauce, Mashed Potatoes, Squash, Green 
Peas, Onions, Rolls, Butter, Banana Fritters, Wine Sauce, Oyster 
Patties, Pineapple Salad, Mayonnaise Sultana Roll, Montrose Sauce, 
Assorted Cakes, and Coffee. The supper a year ago in Toul, consisted 
of Potatoes, Jewish Hardtack, Hash and Coffee. 

After the banquet. Mr. Hockmeyer suggested that all bow their 
heads for a moment of silent prayer, in memory of the boys who had 
so nobly given their lives. 

A telegram was received from Capt. Cover regretting that he could 
not be present. A watch which was to have been presented to the 
Captain, was sent to him for which later was received a letter of 
appreciation and expression of his admiration for the men who had 
served under him. 

(71) 



Soon afterwards the members of the Battery held a meeting and 
organized a social club to be known as Battery F Associates. Frederick 
J. Gleason was elected president, Daniel L. Gray, secretary, and George 
J. Faneuf, treasurer. 

The object of the society being to keep the boys together, for if 
all fought together, were ready to die together, now that the conflict is 
over, all should be glad to meet together and discuss over and over 
again, "When I was in France with Our Miracle Battery." 



(72) 



ROSTER OF MEN AND HIGHEST RANK HELD WHILE 

SERVING WITH BATTERY IN FRANCE. 

OFFICERS OF BATTERY F 

Capt. Cover, Lee H. 

" Minot, Wayland M. 
Needham, Sumner H. 



Anderson, 

Bernheisel, Geo. H. 
Campbell, Geo. 
Chadwick, Theodore E. 
Dana, Wm. B. 
Dunbar, Elmer 
Gravel, Romeo A. 
Greene, Orland S. 
Gully, Edward J. 

Borden, Edward P. 
Butt, Marshall W. 
Carter, (jeo. M. 
Cody, ]\Iichael 
Currie, John D. 
Emsle\-, Geo. W. 
Hart, Earl W. 
Hobson, John L. 
Hodges, Chas. D. 
Kenned}', Malcom 
Kierschinski, Albert 



First Lieutenants 

Harwood, Benjamin P. 
Johnson, Theodore 
MacBrayne, Winfred C. 
Porter, Ernest C. 
Taylor, Thiron C. 
Thompson, Andrew W. 
Watts, Edward R. 
Young, Samuel G. 

Second Lieutenants 

King, Edward L. 
Leonard, Henry G. 
Marckley, Henr\ 
McCarthy, John 
Sullivan, Harry R. 
Thorp, Wm. L. 
Trapnell, James C. 
Uhrig, Chas. E. 
Wendell, Percy 
Willard, Daniel 



(73) 



Abbott, Geo. A. 
Berry, Wilbur 
Brown, Russell L. 
Cole, Harr}' 
Collins, Geo. M. 
Daley, Joseph J. 
Delmore, Jas. A. 
Duncan, Wallace G. 
Faneuf, Geo. J. 
Gustafson, Alfred D. 
Holden, John L. 
Hosley, Carleton 
Jean, Adhemard C. 
Landry, Joseph A. 

Black, Roland 
Bostwick, John W. 
Busfield, Manning H. 
Converse, John K. 
Davies, Harry F. 
DeFazio, Chas. 
Dennett, Mahlon (Deceased) 
Fahey, Ed. 
Flory, Louis J. 
Gray, Earl M. 
Hadley, Richard F. 
Johnson, Geo. H. 
Kierjtead, Harvey F. 
Larkin, Harold E. 
Laurin, Eric T. 
Lawson, Ed. R. 



Sergeants 

Larkin, Eldred W. 

Lavin, Patrick A. 

Leonard, Bryon 

Mathews, Carl E. 

McKee, Alfred 

Parker, Leslie 

Quessy, Randall H. 

Robey, Edwin 

Rosatto, Richard 

Scannell, Walter J. (Deceased) 

Soucie, Wm. 

Taylor, Walter 

Webster, Joseph A. 

Corporals 

Mathews, Elmer C. 
McElroy, John T. 
Morse, Geo. J. 
Mulvey, Geo. W. 
Partridge, Ralph H. 
Patterson, Robt. G. 
Picking, Fred H. 
Quessy, Ralph G. (Deceased) 
Richard, Eugene G. 
Shea, Jerome J. 
Silk, Gerald R. T. (Deceased) 
Thayer, Frank L. 
Thompson, Wm. 
Turgeon, Naree F. 
Winslow, Minton A. 
White, Phil. J. 
(74) 



Cooki 



Cashman, Martin F. 
Dale, Fred C. 
Dushaine, Jos. 
Egan, Thos. 

Desaulnier, Ed. J. 
Hartman, Emile 

Smith, Albert J. 

Lavoine, Louis L. 



Jenkins, Justine B. 
Lussier, Wm. O. 



Douglas, Walter S. 
Drouin, Antonio 

Privates — / 
Ackley, Eugene R. 
Alexander, Har. V. 
Alix, Armond V. 
Auty, Wm. H. 
Bachman. George 
Baker, John H. (Deceased) 
Baellargon, Wm. 
Barrish, Paul A. 
Bigelow, Harold 
Boisvert, Arthur 
Boisvert, Harvey J. 
Boltz, Chas. 



Gaffney, Joseph F. 
O'Brien, Francis A. 
Seton, Wm. W. 

Alechanics 

j\Iorin, Joseph R. 
Nickerson, Thos. Q. 

U agoner 
Saddle?' 

Horseshoers 

Roux, Phaida J. 

Buglers 

Gilligan, Martin 
Gurne.\, Wallace J. 

irst Class and Otherwise 

Kimborough, Wm., Jr. 
King, John 
Kujawa, Anthony J. 
Lacey, Peter W. 
Laliberte, Alf. 
Lamontagne, Ludger 
Langdon, Lloyd 
Larratt, John L. v 
Lawson, Walter 
Lepine, Armond J. 
Lindsay, Carl N. 
Little, Geo. 



(75) 



Boucher, Joseph W. 
Bourgeois, Harry R. 
Bowman, Chas. W. 
Broderick, Wm. B. 
Buss, James H. 
Butler, Forrest 
B\ lenga, Edward 
Cain an, George M. 
Chambers, Harry R. 
Chamowitch, Nicen B. 
Chappell, Paul R. 
Chestnut, Robert L. 
Cheswick, Mathew M. 
Christian, Oscar 
Clowater, Orville 
Codde, El am F. 
Cole, Arthur W. 
Collins, John E. 
Corkery, Ray F. 
Connors, Thomas F. 
Cote, A. 
Cote, Ed. 
Cox, Joseph 
Crotty, George 
Cudworth, Joseph E. 
Dailey, John C. 
De Fazio, Ralph 
Dodge, Edward 
Doyle, Chas. F. 
Dudlow, Chas. F. 
Duffy, Thos. F. 
Dussault, Joseph L. 
Eastwood, Clarence B. 
Elie, Geo. A. 



Lock, Cassel T. 
Lyons, Richard 
Manusakis, Nicholas 
Marshall, Walter 
M artel, Joseph A. 
Martin, Robert H. 
Maxon, Rex 
McAusland, Ray E. 
McCann, Peter A. 
McCashin, John F. 
McDaniel, Ray E. 
McGrath, J as. F. 
McPherson, Frank J. 
Michaels, Jas. F. 
Mitchel, Geo. M. 
Mitchel, Walter P. 
Moore, Emmet F. 
Moorehouse, Daniel W. 
Morley, Raymond F. 
Morning, David 
Moroney, Frank W. 
Morrill, Byron 
Mozley, George 
Muir, James M. 
Mulholland, Joseph 
Murphy, John L. 
Napier, George C. 
Nesting, Randel Q. 
Nichol, Frank S. 
Nichols, Charles 
O'Brien, Hugh 
O'Grady, Bernard T. 
Olson, Amil 
Pahl, Alonzo 



r76) 



Erving, John M. 
Fairchild, Keith R. 

Falco, John D. 

Fanfelle, Blaise 

Firth, Ernest 

Fife, Thomas L. 

Forbes, Joseph 

Frain, John 

Cjanon, Joseph A. 

Garnett, Cjilbert 

Gavin, John A. 

Giffin, Ralph 

Gleason, Fred J. 

Gordon, David S. 

Gra\, Daniel 

Gray, Wm. J. 
Griffin, Bernard J. 
Grout, Walter F. 
Gunn, Francis J. 
Gunther, Chas. E. 
Hack, Bernard 
Knnson, Albert E. 
Harris, George 
Hart, Con. J. 
Harte, Warren E, 
Hayes, Royal K. 
Heavlin, Frank 
Herrin, Albert C. 
Hill, George 
Hilton. Jas. H. 
Homan, Atlis 
Hopkins, James L. 
Houdek, Mat. 
Howard, Herbert J. 
Howard, Jefferson 



Palitzch, Henry 
Parent, Joseph W. 
Parsons, Brackett 

Payette, Joseph 

Payne, Clifford 

Powers, Walter W. 

Roach, John F. 

Roberts, Herbert C. 

Robertson, William 

Romegialli, Carlo 

Riley, Joseph A. 

Saunders, George H. 

Shaw, Leonard A. 

Shimer, Conrad J. 

Shirtclift', Samuel M. 

Symonds, George F. 

Sjostrom, Carl G. 

Smidth, Ro\- 

Smith, Ray 

Scarrano, Ralph 

Soule, Howard 

Sparks, Albert 
Stansfield, Edward R. 
Striet, Harry W. 
Tracy, Pat. R. 
Thistle, Harry A. 
Thompson, Albert E. 
Toller, John T. 
Toohcy, Patrick J. 
Trevo/s, Harold R. 
Troville, Stamislis 
Udell, Richard E. 
Vancour, Herbert J. 
^^igeant, Wm. 
Wall, Ward R. 



(77J 



Hynek, Wm. F. Walter, Arthur J. 

Jodoin, Ephraim Webster, Guy E. 

Johnson, Theodore R. Wiegel, John 

Johnston, Ray Wiegel, Fred 

Judge, John H. Williams, Frederic 

Kane, Frank Winn, Henry C. 

Kerger, John Woods, William H. 

Kerr, John Wright, Winthrop (Deceased) 

Kimball, Ezra W. 



MEMORANDUM 



(78) 



SULLIVAN BROTHERS, PRINTERS 

238 CENTRAL STREET 

LOWELL. MASS. 



